ae va AS LIBRARY PO te Sele phe celine -! 4 te tees Te Pe ‘ en ; . } ; + y \ * ay 1 * a oat } aes ore : OF THE LATE REVEREND errs £4°¢ * ATT S: ‘ a " CONTAINING: THE MOST STRIKING AND ADMIRED : PASSAGES IN THE WORKS a ~ “OB THAT jJUSTLY CELEBRATED DIVINE, PHILOSOPHER, MORALIST, AND PORT: EQUALLY CALCULATED FOR THE COMMUNICATION OF x \ pa , POLITE AND USEFUL epon teas i “aes =~ AND THe INCREASE OF . > site x ‘WISDOM AND HAPPINESS. ~ : i A ae wa———=TO WHICH IS ADDED——_ ; tHe L TE Ror THE AUTHOR. : ae 4 Paiwrep ar MEWRURYPORT, sae ire NE ss EDMUND M. BLUNT, anes es Nes MA THEW CAREY, Philadpbian septs Ta fis oS t ‘V4 = aed My? Es. | We 7 TS Cc O° N. T Om N i S. : Page’ ; A, Or Fixing the Attention, 85 _ Adoration of the Almighty, 89 Abfence from God, - Too Expediency of gaining the AffeGtions ‘ _ of Men, 116 -On Argument, 122 _ Advice to a Young Man, — 125 Againft indulging the Angry Paffions, 132 Gentlenefs of Addrefs, 142 On Parental Authority, ~~ = - 144 Advice to AUS 146 Rules for moderating Anger, * a BRS ae Benevolence and Complacence, Some Parts of the Bible not to be read by Children, 15. Bills of Exchange Spiritualized, AS C. ee The Bounty of the Creator, 32 The Church-yard, 185 Contempt of the trifles of this World, 42. _ Benevolence of the Creator, “8. Converfation, 69: - Benefit of converfing with Men of dif ~~ ferent Parties, &c. 78° 274979 CONT Se ‘Page To. age Converfation iitriineg 49 Rules for correcting Credulity and Con- » “tradition, 96 The Influence er Cuftom, o7 Cariofity to be encouraged in ‘Young Perfons, Spe: pee ta On improper Cutiofi ity, seis eee F- gs Cruelty in Children not to be éneourag 4, Bl Charitable Judgment of our Fel sat creatures recommended, © wf “A128 ‘The ‘Church- ~yard, ae Oe A Thought on Death, . cia 39 Profpect « of Death, - if fk eye _ Dogmatiim cenfured, 3th 2 Nay Againit hafty Determinations, Pv: Ba Difputation, Pe 6] . 83. Acadenvical Difputations, —_— Oppofite Duties, a: tod Academical Difputes apt to prejudice . the Mind, : 105 Decency, 109 RefleCting upon Death rccaiicene 159 _ Dancing Affemblies, 165 “FS E. On ay SRE Excetlehties and Defeds, =) hitteshingg . Eloquence, © 1.22 ES Se 4S a, ‘Entrance upon the W orld, 4 Udahy inde Ancientjahd moderh Education,-> REY = Extremes to be avoidédin: Education: 181 of “oN TE MT Ss. ud Page Ret: Pi a) oe Fear, 74. Unreafonable Fear, e ca hE, The invifible Nature of God, a me _ Praife of God, hr 8 Grace at Meals, ee. | Truft in the Son of God, “AL Perfe€tion of the Gofpel, Ta pel Ad. Gradual Progrefs of the Gofpel, - > 119 - Advice with refpe& to © preaching fc Fae Gofpel, 114 Gaming, a 161 ~ Guilt and Innocence, 187 rere of Guilt and Punifhmtent,. 200 The Man of Humility, er eee Leffon of Humility,” Re Ge Hiatred of our Fellow-Creatures reproved, 72 Degeneraty of Fontan Nature,.. 199 I. eae Idolatry, ; os 2e Ideas, Dire&tions concerning them, 29 Arrangement of our Ideas,. ee, nn ee Verbal Inftruction, : bes Met Erroneous Judgrnens ey 3 : — , 7 Ohediesce: to the Laws,. BLES | Religious 5 | aE ee ia ae Th pds . a A 2 ; <4 . cz 274979 v1 CONTENTS. Page ‘Acca and Modern Language con- — trafted, Part ‘The Study of Mankind, . _. i! Spiritaal and Animal Exiftence of Man, 2.4 Meditation, 63 That the Support of Minifters ‘thoutd be provided for, Sb aay ae The Duty of Minifters, — str ee The Defign of our Saviour’s Miniftry, 113° Of Strengthening. the Memory of Chii- dren, 148 oO. rye Superficial Obfervers, ; 30: Obfervation, pits 64. Orthodoxy and Chriftianity 4) 11s f FB Paffions influenced by different ike vat tions in Life, 3! To fubdue Pride, ng? 236. The Bleffings of Praytr,, 60 - Prejudices contrafted, : 94 Heriditary Prejudices, ted Liberty of Prayer, 118 Why Parables were ufed by Chritt “134 ‘Fault of Young Preachers reproved, 141 © Secret and Social Prayer, . eu ty i-o Ot the Tone of the Voice in ay a 170 Sinful to complain of Providence,” Bae ok Of Rrayery, ~ a4 i ‘ ‘i hp 195. CONTENTS. vii Page . R. i ‘ Reading, B4 Subftance of Natural Religion, 46 Advantages of Reading, - 66 ‘Reading and Converfation contrafted, 67 . Method of Reading recommended,. 76 Reafon a Source of Religion, 88 - Revelation fuperior to Reafon, 108: Reafon alone not fufficient'to procure Wifdom and Happinefs, 109 For improving the Reafoning Faculties, 119 Obedience due to Revelation; 145 Religion and Morality to be encauraged ae mdchaldren; <2 3748 Late Repentance, . eae 1; T he Rake reformed, a Tale, - 202 Spring; 7 poe Lae . 26 Self-love,. . 40 Salvation through Telos Chri; Salvation to be extended to thote who. have not believed in Chrift, , 58 Exhortation againft Sorrow, , 81 Of Science, . 86 Ule of Brnaenden. 7 - 323 On the Sacrifice of our Redeemer; 136 ia Bee incienbes of Thoughts, 50. mcr “oo of terrifying young ~~ Minds, | 150 zi: : viii CONTENES. - grt} . Page The End of Time, ./ < 183 Value of Time, . 184. Vanity, wea Lis tohgatenl ys eSy: Wonder, . es wae ge oP OVE 2 ae ee Judement; aries Mp. an par The Univerfal. Hallelujah, Tere er Ly The Day of Judgment, (226 Fire, Air, Earth, and Sea, as “a lh vay Lon, ooh alee 928) ‘Launching into Eternity, : te, ABS Breathing t towards the Heavenly. Comey, Lee ‘Converfe with Chrift, - 432 Falfe Greatnefs, bo pumas “le Cl ‘True monarchy,. ~ cs hs pe Few Happy Matches, ae hes eee ; Y fi US a ee Os es, cad aie, ren Base? ' at ‘ oa Bee ae pe ap Hy as ae a op \ pooror WATTS. 4 oT is not! to’ ae ieee ine the 1ife oa a “man devoted from a! flateof infancy'to ftudy and retirement, | fhould: be: “pregnant with ‘fuch: incidents as ate! ‘apt to’ excite/pub- liv curiofity.. "The traly exellent perfomof whom it is our bufinefs to prefent the reader with fome biographical anecdotes, was diftin: | euifhed by a cheerful and uninterrupted dif __ charge of every religious and moral duty; an _ imagination ‘fo fertile in original and great ideas as to feem incapable of being exhauit= i _€d, a profound and folid judgment, and SOT. ~ extenfive literary acquirements.« | - Having premifed thus much, we fhall pro- ceed to the natrative.The father of Doctor’ Watts kept a boarding {chool in the town of Southampton ;. ardhis qualifications for the _ Office of a preceptor were fuch, as procured him confiderable’ encouragement, while the ; integrity of his manners gained him the tefs ~ ‘ai of all who had the happine(s of his ; acs dy Qe t ie 10 THE LIFE OF DR. WATTS. quaintance. Of nine children, Ifaac was the eldeft. Though Mr. Watts was not in-eir-- cumftances of Opulence, yet his income was equal to the fupport of his numerous family in a ftile of gentility, — I{aac Watts was born at Southampton. on the 17th of July 1674... Ata very early period of life he appeared to be ftrongly at- tached to reading; and this difpofition: was with pleafure obferved, and carefully culti- vated, by his parents. At four years old his father began to'inftruct him in Latin; and after having made fome confiderable progrefs in that language, and in other fundamental branchés.-of learning, he was placed under the tuition of the Reverend Mr.. Pinhorne, a clergyman of the eftablithed, church, and ° matter of the free-fchool at Southampton. In this fituation our young’ ftudent afford- ed very early proofs of an imfatiable thirft for learning, and of an uncommon brilliancy . of genius, which indeed rendered him after- wards fohighly diftinguifhed in the literary. world. His rapid'progrefs in the learned languages, and in various branches of the {ciences, together with the fprightlinefs and vivacity of his wit, which he had the happy _ talent of attempering with a degree of. fo- ber judgment, which was altogether extraor dinary in one of his years, induced fom _ eral-minded perfons to propofe engaging a fubfcription for the purpofe of compleat~. Taor- “#3 ‘THE LIFE. OF DR. WATTS. iT ing his education at one of the univerfities. ‘This generous propofal, however, he declin- ed with grateful acknowledgments, declaring “his refolution of adhering to thofe principles he had imbibed from his parents, which im- ~ : pelled him to attach himfelf to the Diffent- ing church: ; _~ "Jn the year 1690, young Mr. Watts took up his refidence at an academy in London under the dire€tion‘ of the Reverend Mr. ‘Thomas Rowe, who, it is recorded upon good. authority, had not, during the years that he yefided in his feminary of learning, a fingle occafion for addreffing him in a ftile even of the mildeft reprimand or reproof, fo ‘early was his mind imprefied with juft fentiments of religion and morality, fuich perfe& fimpli- city was there in his manners, and fo indefa- tigably affiduous was he in his ftudies. - His moft intimate companions while’ at Mr. ‘Rowe’s academy were his fellow-ftudents, ~ Mr. Horte, afterwards archbifiop of Tuam, and Mr. Hughes, the Poet. © “Mr. Watts became’a poetical effayift'at the age of fifteen, and this art he cultivated, - though rather as an amufement,‘or a relaxa- _tion from more fevere ftudies, than’as a mat- ter of ferious bufinefs, till he had arrived at fifty. For a confiderable time béfore the expiration of his. minority he appears fo have ‘frequently ditefted his’ attention to Latin — i ‘poetry, though not with a view of acquiring {2 |THE AdPEOR DR WARTS. : the reputation either of great: learning,or ex- pau, talents, but et to obtain . a _ more perfedt knowledge of the language. The ftcength of bis mind, sand, Bi Angler. induftry, are. fufficiently,, in. thefe’ productions, which. though ; ; art the ef- fect of no inconfiderable labour, and not. to be placed jn. competition ‘with many of his ther pieces 5 yet there is fo much; (propriety both in the fentiments and the, language,‘and . they fo.admirably, correfpond .with;each otl- . ef, that.comméndation, will even} hene be ex- torted from the utmoft: erie, of rorBical ’ examination. (da thoyear 1693, Mr. Wrates, sasicai in communion with»the chyreh : -of, whigh. his tutor, Mr. Rowe, was:pafter. -Faving;pat fed through a regular courfe of education at. Mr. Rowe’s academy, about. his? twentieth — year, |he. returned ; to. his, father’s houfe -at ‘Southampton, where. he was, received, with ‘the utmoft, cendernefs of: parental affection, : ‘every opportunity being afforded iim’. for further qualifying himfelf. toiaffume thatam- ortant {tation, to which in.proeefs of: time — e became one .of. the ,moft siRingenbies | pci - 4, (Having! be hay a years swith, his father, ~ conttantly employed.in ardent study, and) in the: devotional . exexcifes..of j pe ao 0 Chriftian;, he-acceptedian, invitation trom.Sit 14 ae Hartopp,to refide in Be Math: 7 THE LIFE OF DR. WATTS. - © 13 family in quality of tutor to his fon. In this fituation he remained upwards of four years, during which period. he peculiarly devoted his mind to theological and {criptural ftudies. His exemplary piety, the fimplicity and ¢a- §ine(s of his. manners, his extenfive knowledge, and various other great and agreeable qualt-. ties, eflablifhed the foundation of that reci- procal and lafting friendfhip which fubfitted between this excellent preceptor and his a- miable pupil. On the 17th July 1698, the day-on which Mr. Waits attained his twenty-fourth year,” he preached his probationary fermon at the chapel in Berry-ftreet, London, to a very - numerous congregation, who united in ac- knowledging, that, whether confidered in a theological, a moral, or a philofophical point “of view, the difcourfe of the youthful caadi-.° date for being admitted a labourer in the vine- _ yard of his bleffed Saviour Jefus Chrift,would ’ have reflected the higheft honour upona divine _who had grown grey in the fatigues of ftudy and the exercife of the paftoral functions. In the fame year he was chofen: affiftant to Dr. _Tfaac Chauncy ; but though his public la- bours procured him -univerfal veneration, _ they were in a fhort time interrupted by a oie i dangerous in«ifpofition, which continued for _ the {pace of five months, and was fuppofed _ to have been occafioned by too rigid an at- ~ tention to his ftudies, and the unremitting eS Gi. 4 B eh ee t 14 THE LIFE OF DR. WATTS, activity and fervent zeal with which he ayail- ed himielf of every opportunity of procla‘m- ing the gofpel of Chrift, notwithftanding the natural weaknefs of his conftitution feemed but little adapted to fuch fevere and conftant ‘exertions. But upon the re-eftablithment of his health, his pious endeavours for the falva- _ tion of the fouls of his fellow-creatures fuffer- ed no abatement. ered Mr. Watts was, in January 1701, appoint- _ed to fucceed Doctor Chauncy.; and on the 18th of March was folemnly ordained to the paftoral office ; but prefently after his pro- motion, he was attacked by a very painful and threatening illnefs ; from which he re- - covered by very flow, and, for a long time, by almoft imperceptible degrees ; and indeed for feveral years, after this fhock, his health remained in a very precarious ftate. In'the interim, however, that his congregation in particular, and. mankind in general, might not be deprived of fo invaluable a member of fociety; and fo exemplary a minifter of the. gofpel of Chrift, by too ftri& an atten- tion to the diicharge of the duties of his holy office, it,was deemed expedient that he fhould be relitved from too intenfe applica- tion by a regular and ftated affiftant; and accordingly Mr. Samuel Price was in June 1703, chofen to that employment. = Being now afforded an opportunity of al- Jowing his mind fome ‘relaxation from the \ ~THE. LIFE _OF DR, WATTS. ae’ ; fatigues of -his safer office, his health was F gradually reftored ; and he again returned to.a diligent acquital of his holy miniftrati- on, to which tafk, arduous as it was, he ad- ded that of eftabhithing a fociety, of the: - younger members of his ch urch, for the pur- poles of prayers and -religious conference-: and to thefe pupils he, from time to time, delivered the fubftance of the book which he afterwards publifhed under the title of a GUIDE TO.PRAYER. Our Divine. linea in the reguiar at- tendance upon his public duty till the year, 1712, when in the month ot September he, was feized with a violent fever, from which he was not relieved till the cruel difeafe had. _ fo fhattered his nerves and enfeebled his con- ftitution, that though he recovered the full powers and vigour of his mind, it feemed not io the leaft probable that-his exiftence upon earth would be prolonged through half the number of years which he afterwards. enjoyed. During this illnefs fervent prayers to the throne of God were frequently put forth in his own church, and alfo in many others, for the prefervation of fo valuable a life ; and the ardour of devotion which was ~ _manifefted on thefe occafions, afforded a ve- ty remarkable proof of the high veneration and efteem in which he was held by all ranks of pious Chriftians, and particularly by his: brethren of the miniftry. 16 THE LIFE OF DR. WATTS. | Soon after being attacked by this illnefs, at his earneft intreaty, his affiftant Mr. Price was appointed a paftor of the church - jointly with him. Between thefe pious mem- - bers of the Chriftian church there fubfitted , a friendfhip difinterefted and cordially pious - till the death of Dr- Watts, who bequeath- ‘ed a legacy, to “ his faithful friend and com- *‘‘panion in the labours of the miniftry, as “only a fmall teftimony of his great affec- ** tion for him, on account of his fervices of *‘ love during the many harmonious years ‘of their fellowfhip in the work of the gof- abo Bg iar | The traces of his laft indifpofition were too manifeft for the eafe of his numerous friends, who feverely regretted the very pre-~ carious.and alarming ftate to which his con- flitution had been reduced ; and among the. moft diftinguithed of thefe was the late*Sir Thomas Abney, who with an ardency of per-. fuafion which the fincerity and warmth of Mr. Watt’s friendfhip fer his generous fup- plicant, and a thorough conviction of his ex- = emplary piety and numberlefs public and private virtugs, di{qualified him for refifting, invited our divine to eftablifh his refidence at his feat, at Stoke Newington. HE: While he remairied in the family of Sir — Thomas Abney, “ the notions of rer i © and dependence were overpowered by the ~ ‘perception of reciprocal benefits.” About THE LiFe OF DR. WATTS+ bs i eight years after his removal to the houfe of: Siw Thomas at Stoke Newington, that gen- _ tleman died ; and fince a more pious and or-- thodox Chriftian, or a man of more exem-- plary virtue either in public* or in private life has been fcarcely known; it will eafily be gay that his death was frncerely lansent- tér the deceafe, of his generous and. oral tefpectable friend, he continued to re- fide in the family of’ ‘Lady Abney’ till his. death, including in, the whole a period of thirty-fix years, during which, both by that a and-her truly excellent daughter, the: prefent Mrs. Elizabeth Abney, he was treat- ed with the fame uniformity of friendfhip which he had experienced during the life of Sir Thomas.- During his refidence in this. happy family; whichas Dottor Gibbons juft- ly obferves, “« for piety, order, harmony, and. “* every virtue,.was an houfe of God,” his: . days Tan on in an even tenor, divetiied on-- ly by a fucceffion of kterary productions.’ Without: folicitation, -or even a hint ‘that the. comphment would be acceptable, in the year 1728, the univerfities of: Edinburgh and. Aberdeen tran{mitted him a diploma, where- by Mr. Watts was conftituted a doctor of divinity : and in-this grant it muft be allow-- * Sir Thomas Abney was fevyeral yéars an Alderman of London ; - and he likewife ferved the? office of Lord Mayor.': As his private’: — lite was without reproach, fo he difcharged the duties of his public ftation with unimpeached integrity. He died Febsuary 6th, 172 12; lathe Sad ycar of -his age. y Nid ~ 18 THE LIFE OF DR. WATTe: ed there was fingular proprietyghfon Ae had. « long rendered himfelf worthy of the diftine- tion; not on'y by his diligence and fuccels as a Chriftian minifter,but alfo. by his numerous. theological, philofophical and metaphyfical > writings, and by being the man whovhad un- queftionably contributed more than any oth- er to convince the Diffenters, who had been eyer remarkable for an affected contempt of _ the beauties of language; and a ftudied: ine= Jegancy of expreffion, that the great truths of the Chriftian gofpel would become doub- ly attractive when difplayed in ‘the ee powers of a polifhed diction. In ftature Doctor Watts was but little a-: bove fix fect. Though his: figure feemed not calculated to command attention, yet in- common difcourfe upon ferious fubjects, as well as in the pulpit, there was a dignified fo- Jemnity in his whole deportmentand manner ~ of utterance that afforded a kind of irrefifia- ble energy to what ever came from his lips. . Gefticulation in the pulpit be rejeéted'both as unneceffary and as little correlponding with the gravity and importance of divine topics y but in familiar converfation he was not fo obfervant of a feverity of manners ; bis fané ‘ey was excurfive, and bis wit was brilliant 5 and he fometimes exercifed thofe- fecnlties: with frecdom, though he ever reftrained hints. felt within the bounds of firié decorum, fldom difmifing a fubjeQ without ic ‘THE LIPE OF DR. WATTS: 198 from it fome excellent leffon: of religion or - morality. While in the family of Sit Thomas Ab- “ney and his:Lady,-he conflantly devoted one _ fifth* of his: income to chkaritableufes:;-and- he-trequently vifited the poor in ficknels, and cheerect their drooping hearts with {piritual comfort. Since his writings have been criticifed by - that em'nent jude: of literary merit Doctor Samue! Johniou, it would perhaps be deem- ed a fort of-prefumption 1n the writer of this narrative, were he to obtrude upon the read-’ er his own opinion as to the degree of ap- probation that is due fo the voluminous’ works. of Doétor -Watts.: and: therefure he* will introduce an extract which though con’ ~ cife, he tiuits will prove fatistactory.. « Few men have left behind fuch purity « of character or fuch monuments of labo-' « rious: piety, He has provided inftruGion « for all-ages, from thofe who are Iifping ‘ their firtt jeflons-to the enlightened reads” ~ er§ of Maibranche and: Locke 3 he has left neither corporeal nor {piritual nature un- “ examined ; be has taught the art of rea- “ {oning, and the feience of the fars.’-0- «| Fis characters therefore, mutt be forme «“ edirom the multiphcity and diverfity of. « his attainments, rather than trom any fin= © “ td ee gues fays one tira im-but this J rasa sty to bea . 20’ THE LIFE OF DR. WATTS. © ‘ole performance ; for.it would mot be fate “to claim for him the higheft rank ‘in any”. “‘fingle denomination of literary dignity ;. “yet perhaps there is- nothing in which he- “would not have. excelled; if he had not- ¢ divided his powers to different purfuits. “ Asa poet, .had he been only-a poet, he’ % « would probably have ftood high among: *¢ the authors with whom he is-now aflociat- ‘©ed. For his judgments were exact, and he *- “‘ noted beauties and faults. with anice dif-. <¢ cernment ; his imagination, as the: Dacian » «< Battle proves, was vigorous and active, and: “« the ftores of knowledge: were large bywhich» ‘¢ his imagination was fupplied.” His ear was - ** well- tuned and his diction was. citi and. | bial copious.’ For between two and three : years beforex his death, the aCtivity and fprightlinefs of his - _maind fuffered a gradual abatement : but in no other refpect did his. faculties feem: im-: - paired. Death had no terrors for a man* whofe life had been uniformly: employed in‘ preparing himfelf for the awful change which’ was to give him pofleMion of thofe glorious’ rewards which he now enjoys through the mediation of:his bleffed Saviour. . Doctor Ifaac Watts died-at Stoke Newiog: - “ton on the 25th of November, 1748, 1m: sean feventy- fifth year of his age. *- # THE Be A UT Es -OF THE INVISIBLE NATURE OF GOD. E are the work of fome ‘more power- ful and fuperior hand; but how we came firft into being, we. know not: the manner of our original exiftence is hid from us in darknefs : we are neither con{cious of our creation, nor of the Power which created us. He made us, but he hid himfelf from our eyes and ears, and all the fearches of fenfe. He has fent us to dwell in this vifible world, amidft an endlefs variety of rmages, figures, and colours, which force themfelves upon our fenfes ; but he forever difclaims all image, colour, and figure himfelf. He hath fet us, who are inferior {pirits, this tafk, in thefe re- gions of mortal fleth, to fearch and feel after him, if baply we may find the fupreme, the in- | arte, and eternal Spirit. /V¥e ave near a-kin- 22 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. to him, even his own offspring 5. but we fee not our Father’s face‘; nor can all the powers of our nature come at the knowledge of him that made: us, but» by the labours aad infer- - ences of Our réafon: We toil and work back- ward to find our Creator: from our prefent exiftence, we trace out his eternity ; “and through the chain of a thoufand vifible et- ~ fects, we fearch out the F irft, the Invifible, and Almighty Caufe. When we fancy we perceive tomtthine of hum, it-is-at-a- diftance, and in a-dufky.twi-° light. We efpy fome faint beams, fome glim- merings of his glory breaking through the works of his hands; but he himfelf ftands behind the veil, and: does not fhew-himéelt in open light to the fons and daughters of\mor- . tality. Happy. creatures, if we could. make. our way; fo near him, as to behold the lovely. and 1 giibiay e beauties of his nature 5 if we. could place our fouls fo direétly under his kindeft:influeuces, as to feel ourfelyes adore him in the moft protound humility, and love’ him with the moft fublime affection, | ~ MISCEL. THOUGHTS, “pi 2 ‘IDOLATRY. Ir has been | an old temptation to man-. kind, almoft ever fince. human nature’ was. 4e ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 23 made, that we ‘defire to*find out fomething juft like-God. Hence arofe a great part of the idolatry of ancient ages, and of.abmoft all the heathen world. The chriftian world, in- | deed, has much clearer light, and nobler dif- coveries of the invifible nature of God ; and_ yet how has the -Romith church ‘fallen into _grofs idolatry in this, refpect, and with pro- fane attempt they have painted all the Ble/ed Trimity ! Whatioever pretence they may de- _ tive from the buman nature «of the Son of _ God, or from the dove-like appearance of the - Holy Spirit, to draw thefigures of a dove or aman, as a memorial of thofe facred conde- _ fcenfions ; yet I know no fufficient warrant they can have to fly tn the very face of Divine Prohibition, and to paint ‘and carve the figure of God the Father like an old man, when he | mever appeared among men in any bodily form ; and our Lord Ye/us himfelt fay ~of him, «© Ye have neithet heard his voice at any time, nor feen his fhape.” Fobu v. 37. | MISCEL. THOUGHTS, p. 7. ‘ _THE STUDY OF MANKIND. AMONG all the ufeful and entertaining aie _ ftudies of philofophy, there is none fo worthy’. : . of manas the {cience of human nature. There © 24 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. is none that furnifhes us with more wonders — of Divine Wifdom, Or gives higher occafion to adore Divine Goodnefs. MISCEL, nad ehaity ies rH . SS eee ENQUIRY INTO THE SPIRITUAL AND ANIMAL EX- ISTENCE ar MAN. NOW I ftand, now I lie down; I vn a- gain and walk ; i eat, drink, and fleep ; ; pulfe beats, and I draw the breath of life: furely | have the parts.and powers of an ani- _mal; I am a living body of fiefh and blood, a wondertul engine, with many varieties of motion., But let me confider, alfo, what ath: er actions I perform. _ , I think, I meditate, and contrive ; I com- pare things, and judge of them ; now E-doubrt, - and then I believe; I will what I act, and fometimes I wifh what I caninot act : I defire ‘and hope for what I have not, as well as am confcious of what I have, and rejeice in it: I look backward, and lurvey ages paft,and} look forward into what is to come. Surély | mult be a Spirit, a thinking Power, a Soul, fome- thing very diftin& from this machine of mat , ter, with all its fhape and motions. - . , Mere maiter, put into all poflible motion, can: never think, reafon, and contrive ; can -never hope and with as I do, and furvey dif. ce tant times, the paft and. future, What am THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS: 25 f Athen? What ftrange kind of Being is this; which is.confcious of all thefe different agen- ‘cies, both of Matter and Spirit ?.. What fort of thing can I be, who feem to think and rea- fon in my head, and feeland am conicious of © pain and eafe, not at. my heart only, but at my toes and fingers too? I conclude, then, _ I can be nothing elie but a Compound Creature, made up.of thefe two difting& beings, Spsrzt and Matter; or, as: we -ufually. expres it, ~ Soul and Body. . It.is very plain alfo'to'me, upon a fmall enguiry, that this body and this foul did not make them/elves, nor oneanother. Ihadno “more hand in the union of thefe two princi- ples, or in the compofition of myflelf, than I hain the making ot thofe two diftin& be- ings of which | ani compounded. | It was. Gop only, that great Gop who created both parts of me, the Amima/ and the Mind, who alfo joined them together in fo ftrange an union. And if I were to enter into. the myf- teries of this union, it would opena wide and various fcene of amazement.at his unfearch- able wifdom ! we a MISCEL. THOUGHTS, p. 19, ooo ——————— THE PRAISE OF GOD 8 WHAT is praife? It is a part of that dr-. ‘ vine worthip Ma ain oweto the Powerthat > ens + pa Sf 2 " 240° en Ye) +] ‘ ‘ 26 THE BEAUTIES OF DRw WATTS. made us ; it isan acknowledgment of the per- fections of God, afcribing all excellencies to him, and confeffing all the works of nature and grace to proceed from him. Now, when we apply ourfelves to this work, and drefs up our notions of a God in magnificence of lan- fuage,—when’ we furnifh them out with dhining figures, and pronounce them with founding words—we ‘fancy ourlelves to fay great things, and are even charmed-with our ‘own forms of praife: but, alas! the higheft and beft of thein, fet in a true hight, are but the feeble voice of a creature, {preading be- fore the Almighty Being that made him, ‘fome of his own low and little ideas, and tell- _ .ing him what he thinks of the Great God, ” and what God has done. ~~ holy Pialmift would exprefs his honorable thoughts ot his Maker, they amount only to this, «* Thou art good, and thou doeft good.” Pfal. cxix. How inconfiderable an offering is this for a God ! and yet fo condefcending is his love, that he looks down, and is well pleafed to receive it. eid id MISCEL. THOUGHTS; p. 28, ‘ , See eae SPRI N. Gian Shah dae : : CREAT RI. > WHAT aftonifhing variety of artifices; what innumerable millions of exquifite works, ” a F THE BEAUTIES OF DR: WATTS: 27. is the God of nature engaged’ in every. mo- ment! How glorioufly are his all-pervading wifdom-and power employed in this ufeful. feafon of the year, this Spring of Nature | What infinite myriads of vegetable beings is he forming this very moment, in their roots and branches, in their leayes and blofioms, their feeds and-fruit !. Some, indeed, begun. to difeover their bloom amid{t the fnows.of Fanuary, or under the rough: cold blafts of — ' March : thofe flowers are withered and van- ithed in Apri/, and their feeds are now ripen- ing to perfection. Othersare fhewing them- felves this day in all their blooming pride and. beauty ; and while they adorn: the gardens. and meadows with gay and glowing colours, they promife their fruits in the day, of har- velt. Fhe whole nation: of vegetables is un- der the Divine cate and culture ; his hand forms them day and night with admirable fill and unceafing operation, according te the natures he firft gave them, and produces: their buds and foilage, their flowery blofloms, and rich fruits, in their appointed months. Their progrefs in life is exceeding fwift at. this: feafon: of the year ; and their tucceffive appearances, and iweet changes of raiment, are vifibie almoft hourly. Bat thefe creatures are of lower life, and give but feeble dilplays of the Maker’s wif-- dom. Let-us raife our contemplations anoth- ex. ftory, and. furvey.a nobler theatre of di-- x . * ea = 28 THE BEAUTIES OF DRY WATTS» vine wonders. What endlefS armies of ani-. inals is the hand of God moulding and ‘fig- uring this very moment throughout his bru-. tal dominions! What immente flights of lit tle birds are now fermenting in the egg, heaving and growing towards fhape and lite! What vaft flocks of four footed creatures,. what droves of large cattle, are now framed: in their early: emaioei imprifoned in the dark: cells of nature! And others, perhaps, aré moving towards liberty; ‘and juft preparing to. fee the light! What unknown myriads of infects, in their various cradles and nefting- places, are now working toward vitality-and’ motion ! And thoufands of them with their’. painted wings ju(t beginning to unfurl, and. expand themfelves into fluttering and day-: light ; while other families of them have for- faken their hufky beds, and exult — in the warm fun-beams ! ~ “ An exquifite world of wonders-is compli cated even in the body of every little infect, an ant, a gnat, a mite, that is fearce vifible to the naked eye, Admirable engines! which: 2 whole academy of philofophers could never contrive ; whieh the nation of poets hath neither art nor colours to deferibe 5’ - a world of mechanics fkill pe tot the plaineft or coarfeft of them. Theirn their mufcels, and the minute atoms compofe the fluids fit to run in the little channels of their, veins, efcape the canes & Si5 ie 3 “hss ri “y THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 20 k the mott fagacious ‘mathematician, with al - his aid of glatles. The attive powers and cu- riofity of human nature are limited in their _ purfuit, and muft be content to lie down in _ ignorance. It is a fublime and conftant triumph over. all the intelleétual_ powers of man, which the great God maintains every moment in thete inimitable works of nature, in thefe impene- trable recefies and myfteries of divine art f The flags and banners of Almighty wifdom are. now difplayed round half the. globe, and the other half waits the return of the {un to fpread the fame triumph over the fouthern world, The very {un-in the firmament is God’s prime minifter in this wondrous world of beings, and he works with fovereign vigour on the furface of the earth, and ipreads: his influences deep under the clods to every root and fibre, moulding them into their proper forms, by divine direétion. There is not a. plant, nora leaf, ner one little branching thread, above or beneath the ground, that efcapes the eye or influence of this benevolent ftar: an illuftrious emblem of the Omnipo- tence sat univerial activity of the Creator. ~ a> F MISCEL. THOUGHTS, P- 31. » " L-DIRECTIONS CONCERNING OUR IDEAS. FURNIS I yourlélves with a rich variety. --efideas 5 acquaint yourfelves with things an-- C2 30. TNE BEAUTIES OF DRUWATTS:. cient and modern ; things natural, civil, and? religious ;. things domeftic and national ;: _things of your native land, and of foreign: countries ; things prefent, paft, and future ; and, above all, be well acquainted with God: and yourfelves ; learn animal nature, and the workings of your own fpirits. Such a gene- ral acquaintance with things will be of very great advantage. : 4 y= 5 - LOGIC, p. 71. “e 3 < eS 2 4 Se 7 5 ? ‘ y ¢ SUPERFICIAL OBSERVERS, - THERE are-fome perfons-that never’ ar-: rive at any deep, folid, or valuable knowl- edge, in any fcience, or any bufinefs of life,. becaufe they are perpetually fluttering over the furface of things, in a curious or wander- — ing fearch of infinite variety ; ever hearing, reading, or afking after fomething new, but impatient of any labour to lay up and pre- ferve the ideas they have gained ; their fouls. may be compared to a looking-glafs, that. wherefoever you turn it, it receives. the im- ages of-all objects, but retains none. 2 1 LOGIC, /D. 7h et ae PE ein 7 » THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS: 3h “RoE sé ee TF the books. which you read are your ~~ ewn, mark with a pen, or a pencil, the moft _ gonfiderable things in them which you defire to remember. Thus you may read that book the fecond time over with half the trouble, . _by your eye running over the paragraphs which your pencil has noted. It is but a very weak objection againft this prdétice, to fay, I /rall ~ fpo:l my book; for I. perfuade myfelf, that you. _ ing your remarks, re dies any particular theme. did not buy it-as a bookieller, to fel! it again for gain, but asa fcholar, to improve your mind by it ;. and if the mmd. be improved, your advantage is abundant, though your book yields lefs money to your executors. This advice of writing, marking, and review- Hee chiefly to thofe oc-- cational notions you meet with either in read- ing or in converfation : but when you are direCtly or profefiedly purfuing any fubjeQ of — knowledge in a good {y{tem, in your younger: years, the fyftem itfelf is your common-place book, and muft be entirely reviewed. . The- fame may be faid concerning any treatife- which clotely, fuccinétly,-and accurately ban- LOGIC Pe 75; 32 THE BEAUTIES OF DR, WaTTas ty Tee, wy hues Ys J THE BOUNTY OF THE CREATOR. — | WHAT is more-neceffary for the fupport — of life, than food ? Behold, the earth is cov- ered with it all around’; grafs, herbs, and fruits, for beafts and men, were ordained to» — over{pread all the furtace of the ground, fo _ that an animal could fcarce wander any where, . but his food was near him. Amazing pro- vifion for tuchy an immenfe family |—What are the fweeteft colours im nature, the moft. delightful to the eye, and the moft refrefhing. too ? Surely the green and blue claim this- pre-eminence. Common ‘experience, as well: as philofophy, tells us, that bodies of green and blue colours jend us fuch rays of light to our eyés, as are leaft hurtful or offenfive ; we can endure them longeit ; whereas the red. and yellow, or orange colour, fend more un+ eafy rays in abundance, and give greater con- fufion and pain to the eye ; they dazzle it fooner, and tire it quickly with a little intent gazing ; therefore the divine goodnefs drefled- ‘all the heavens-in blue, and the earth in green, - ur habitation is overhung witha canopy ~ of moft beautiful azure, and a tich verdant’ pavement is {pread under our feet, that the eye may be pleafed and ealy whereloever it: turns itfelf, and that the moft univerlal.ob= _ hs THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. - 3% | jets it has to converfe with, might not im- " the {pirits. and make the fenfe ce) LB WHEN God the new- -made world harvey d _ His word pronounc’d the building good : ‘Sun- beams and light the heavens array d,' _ And the while earth was crown’'d with food be ae that charm and pleafe the eye, _ His pencil fpread all nature round : With pleafing blue be arch’d the fey, : And a green carpet wk: ‘4 the ground. TIT. nis ae “Let envious atheifts ne’ er complain Phat nature wants, or feill, or care: But turn their eyes all round in vain, T avoid their Maker’s goodnefs there. MISCEL. THOUGHTS, p. 36+ an ms ‘: eae tu» We CoN Dyk "KR: WHEN we perceive any object that is sare and uncommon, that is, new and ftrange, | either for its kinds, or for its qualities ; or * ‘ when. we meet with fuch an occurrence or Se a $4 THE BEAUTYES OF DRy WATTS! event as is unu{ual or unexpected § of- fuck: as is, at leaft, unuftal at fach a particular time! and place ; we are ftruck with admiration or ~ wonder: and that without any confideration © whether the object be valuable.or worthlefs, whether it be good or evil. We wonder at a Ls great or a very little man, ‘a dwartora 3, at avery little horfe, at a huge fiake or fame? at an elephant, or 2 whale, or a coms et, or at any rare performances of art, as mov- ing machines, fuch as clocks, a AY with, a variety of uncommon motions and opera~ tions : we wonder at a piece of extraordina- ry wit, fkill, or learning; even at artificial trifles, as‘a flea kept. alive i in a-chain; at any uncommon appearances. in nature difcovered by a telefcope, a microfcope, 8c. Admira- tion has no regard. to the.agreeablenefs or dif- agreeablenefs of the objet, but only to the rarity of it. And for this reafon wonder. feems to be the firft of the paffioms. ,, DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, p. 17. | - Eet it be obferved, that this paffion has properly no oppofite ; becaufe, if the object be not rare or new, or if the appearance be not fudden or unexpected, but a mere com- mon or familiar thing, or an unexpected oc- SS Bee are A> Baa eins ah ele Pee ak currence, we receive it with great calmnefi,. | vand feel no fuch commotion ‘of nature about it : we treat it with neglect, egos, eure ~~ a ‘ : ~ THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS. 35 Now neglect i is no paffion. ‘The-reft of the . pation, at leaft the moft-of them, goin pairs. DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, p. 18. BENEVOLENCE AND COMPLACENCY. ~ BENEVOLENCE is fometifnes laid out upon, an object that has no fuch prefentgood in it.as we can’defire or delight in, but only ‘fome foundation of future good, or fome ca- pacity to be made. good oragreeable. A pi- ous man can never love wicked men with the love of complacency or delight ; but he may exercife the love of benevolence towardsthem, to-pity them, and to-wifh their recovery. So — _our Saviour could not love the bloody city of Jerufalem with complacency, becaufe it killed the prophets, and blafphemed God and his Son; but h ed it with, benevo- lence, and wept overatdome tears of com- paffion. ‘ THE PASSIONS, p. 32. Passions INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT, SITU ATIONS IN LIFE. é - DIFFERENT anflGhunart and differs Sati conditions of life,-beget in'us.a tendency kaour different -pafiions.. . Thofe-whovare ex: 36 THE BEAUTIES OF DR, WATTS. alted above others in their daily ftations, and efpecially if they have to do with many per- fons under them, and in many affairs, are too - often tempted to the haughty, the morofe, the furly, and the mere unfriendly ruffles and difturbances of nature, unlefs they watch a- gainft them with daily care, The command- ers in armies and navies, the governors of work-houfes, the malters of public {chools, or thofe who have'a great numberof fervants under them, and a multitude of cares and _ concerns in human life, fhould continually ‘fet a guard upon themlelves, left they get a habit of affected tuperiority, pride, and van-’ ity of mind, of fretfulnels, impatience, and criminal anger. , DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, p. 71. TO SUBDUE PRIDE CONSIDER what you fhall be. Your flefh returns to corruption and common earth again ; nor-thall your duft be diitinguifhed from the meaneft beggar or flave; no, nor from the duft of brutes and infeGts, or the ' moft contemptible of creatures. And as-fot your foul, that mutt ftand before God, in the © world of fpirits,on a level with the reft of . mankind, and divedted of all your haughty — .%, J wie tv, WHE: BEAUTIES OF: DR. WATT Se 37 f and flattering diicistsbftintiog None of your: vain diftinétions ‘in this life fhall.attend you to the judgment-feat. Keep this tribunal in view, and pride will wither, and hang down its head. “DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, p. 99. - ci SS ee GRACE AT MEALS. THE converfation turned upon the fub- ; 508 of faying grace before and after meat. \When feveral of the company had given their thoughts, Serenus acknowledged it was not “neceflary tovoffer a folemn and particular pe- tition to heaven on the occafion-of every bit ‘of bread that we tafted, or when we'drink a lafs of wine with a friend ; nor was it ex- “pected we fhould make.a focial prayer when iperfons, each for themielves, took a flight re- paft in arunning manner; either the general morning devotion is fuppofed fufficient to re- commend fuch tranfient a€tions and occur- ences to the divine bleflings ‘or a fudden fe- -cret wifh, fent up to heaven in filence, might -an{wer fuch a purpofe ia’ the chriftian life : but when a whole family fits down together .to make a reguiar and ftated meal, it-was his. “epinion, that the Gieat God fhould’ be dol- Bek Bx: $8 THE BEAUTIES OF DREAWATTE. emnly acknowledged as the ‘giver of all the’ good things we enjoy; and the practice of our Saviour, and St. Paul, eh ist us an il-- duftrious example, i MrscEL. sasiaidisa 65." THE CHURCHYARD WHAT a multitude of beings , noble: creatures, are here reduced to cult + God has broken his own beft cathe to pie-. .ces, and demolifhed by thoufands the fineft earthly ftru@tures of his own building. Death has entered in, and reigned over this town for many fucceffive centuries 5 it had its com- - miffion from God, and it has devoured snu'titudes of ‘men, aa tteys Rawat | MISCEL. THOUGHTS, p 107. , ; pre Go to the church-yard, then, O finful and thougbtlefs mortal ; go learn from every ~tomb-ftone, and every: rifing hillock, that «« The wages of fin is death.” Learn in fi- Icnce, among the dead, that leffon which in- finitely concerns all the living ; nor let thy heart be ever‘at reft, till chow art acquainted with Jesus, who is the 1, ee eee ie. . se ae fi ass citar wh A THOUGHT ON DEATH. DEATH, ‘to a good man, is but paffing through a dark entrv, out of one little dufky Too of his-father’s houfe, into another that ja is fair and: large, lightfome ‘and glorious, and divinely entertaining. O, may ‘the rays and TE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 39. 2 Fit 2 Shee _ fplendors of my heavenly apattment fhoot far - - downward, and gild the dark entry with {uch ~ acnearful cleam, as to banifh every fear when ° 1 fhall be Jane to paf3 through ! | MISCZL, THOUGHTS, p. 120, HUMAN EXCELLENCIES AND DEFECTS. « THERE is nothirg on earth ‘excellent om all fides ; there muft be fomething wanting. in the beft of creatures, to fhew how far they ~ are from perfection. God has wifely ordained. it; that. excellencies and defects. fhould be mingled amoneft men ; advantage and dif- advantage are thrown into the balance ; thes one is fet over-agginft the other, that no mane fhight be fupremely exalted, and none utter-- yy: contemptible. : |“ MISCEL, THOUGHTS, p. 1472 42 THE BEAUTI£S OF DR. WATT. 9 BL Fsbo y & | YOUTH is wild and licentious. \ In thofe- . years, we perfuade ourfelves that we are only~ making a juft ule of liberty. In that. fcene of folly we are light add vain, and fet no- bounds to the frolick humour ;- yet we fancy: _it is merely an innocent gaiety of heart, which belongs to the fprings of nature, and the blooming hours of life. In ¢he age of man- hood, a rugged or a haughty -temiper is angry or quarrelfome ; ; the fretiul and the peevifh in elder years, if not before, ate ever kindling. into paffion and-refentment 5 but they all a-- _ gree to pronounce their furious or fretful con~ . duct a mere neceffar y reproof of the indigni- ee which were offered: them by the world. Self-love is fruitful of fine names forits own: iniquities. Others are fordid and covetous. to a thameful degree, uncompatiionate and’ cruel to the miferable ; and yet they take- this vile practice to be only a jult exercile. of frugality, and a dutiful care of theirewn houf- hold.. Linus, every vice that belongs to us,.. is‘conftrued into a virtue ; - and,.if there are. “any fhadows or appearance virtue upon: us, thefe poor pial fhadows are* magnified and realized into the divine quali- - of an angel. We, who pafs thefe juft- -enfures on the follies of our aC qe 4 THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS. 41% perhaps approve the very fame things in our- felves, by the influence of the fame native principle of flattery and felf-fondneds. ie mn MISCEL. THOUGHTS, p- 157. ‘TRUST IN THE SON OF GOD. THEY that- have trufted in the Son of _ God, begin to find peace in their own con- iciences ; they can hope God is reconciled to: them through the blood of Chrift, that their” _ imiquities are atoned for,. and that peace is- ~ made betwixt God and them, This belongs- _ only to the doétrine of Chrift, and witnefles- it to be divine ; for there is no religion that: ever pretended to lay fuch-a foundation of - pardomand peace, as the religion of the Son» of God does ; for he has sake | eae pro-- . pitiation’; Jefus the Righteous f& become our’ _ reconciler, by becoming afacrifice : Rom. iii. - 26. “ Hit that God fer forth Tor a propi-- ‘tiation, through faith in his blood, to de- “clare his righteoufnefs for the remiffion of -‘* fins that are paft.;-that he might be juft, - “and the juftifier of him that believes in Je- “fus : Therefoge, being juftified by faith, we: “have peace with God... Rem. v. 1. Behold: _*¢the Lamb of ie that takes away the fins. - MEST eny |) gs 4x THE BEAUTIES OF DRY WATTS: «of the world !” was the language of Johiny. who was but the forerunner of our religion, and took a profpect of it at-a little diflance : « and much more of the particular glones and ‘bleflings of this atonement is difplayed by the: - bleffed Apofles, the followers of the Lamb. Other relgions, that have been drawn from: the remains of the light of nature, or that. have been ihvented by the fuperftitious fears and fancies of men, and obtruded on mankind by the craft of their fellow creatures, are at a- lofs in this inftance, and cannot {peak folid” - peace and pardon. vite ade ah ea SERMONS, Vole T. pede.” ——_— ---- a an “= CONTEMPT-OF THE’ TRIELES OF THIS WORLD> IF we fopk upward to Héaven, we fhalt. behold thhete*all ‘the inhabitants looking down. with a facred contempt upon'thetrifles,amufe- — ments, bufineffes and cares of this prefent life, that engrafs our affections, awaken ourdefites, — fill our-heatts with pleafwre or pain, and our flefh with conftant labour. With what wit feorn do you think thofe fouls, who are dif-_ amiffed from ftefh, look downgipon the hurries — and buftles of the prefent {tate in which we - are engaged ?* They: dwell in the full fight of thof glories which they hope for her¢oncanthy., é THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS:: 43: and their intimate a¢quaintance with theplea-.. -. flares. of that upper world, and tlie divine fen- _fations that are raifed in them there, make: tem. contemn all the pleafures of this ftate,. and every thing belowheaven, Thisisa part. of eternal-lite ; this belongs, in fome degree,.. to every believer : for. he 1s not a believer that- is not got above this. world in.a good meal-- ure 5 he is not a’chriftian, who is not wean- ed, in fome degree, from this world’: ‘* For ** this is our victory, whereby we overcome. ‘« the world; even our faith.” 1 Febx,.v. 4, *« He that is. born of God; overcomes-the: “© world; he that.believes in Jefus, is born of “«God.”” Whence the argument is plain, he that believes in Jefus, the Son of God, over- comtes this prefent world!) And where-chrif-. tianity is raifed to a good degree of life ands power in the foul, where wetéethe chriftian: got near to heaven ; h¢.is, as it were, a fellow for angels, a-fit companion for the ‘* Spirits of the juft made perfect.” The affairs of this life are*beneatlhis beft defires and his hopes ; he engages hishand in. them fo far as God his Father appoints his duty; but he longs for the upper world, where his-hopes are gone before : ‘© When fhall Lbe entirely difmiffed / “from this labour and toil? The gaudy. *« pléafures this world entertains me with, are. “-no entertainments to me ;. [ am weaned: '« from them, Iam born for above.” This.” 4s. the language of that faith that. overcomes: 44 THE PEAUTIES OF DR. war a ~ thé world ; and faith, where it j truth im the foul, hath, in eager ites? effect ; and where it fhines units brightnefs, . , it hath, in a great degree, this fablime — accompanying it ;~or rather, (fhall Tay ?).- this piece of heavenlf glory. Pain and fick-. nefs, poverty and reproach, forrow and death itfelf, have been contemned by’ thofe that: have believed in Chrift Jefus, with much more: honour.to Chriflianity than ever masbronghit to other religions... SERMONS, e-fep pat 4 = 3 INIMITABLE.PERFECTION OF THE “GOSPEL... : page: £5 Fae ge THE gofpel of Chrift is like a feal or fig -net,.of fuch divine graving, that no. created: power can counterfeit it; and when the fpirs “tof God has-ftamped this gofpel onthe foul, - there are fo many-holy and happy lines drawn: _or impreffed thereby, ‘fo many facred figna> tares and divine features: ftamped,on the — mind; that give certain evidence peat weagc fignet and a heavenly Operator. ; , - MBRMONS, ¥. I. Pass : aol no Pte a Cabs oS pte Se Hy . ‘PHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS: 46. “PROSPECT OF DEATH. « HOW fhould we rejoice in actos of that. « hour that fhall releafe us from the finful.. « flefh.; .5 and when we fhall ferve God in {pi- 5 ; rit. without a clog, without a tempter !’? _ O, with what a relith of facred pleafure fhould. _ ‘a faint read thofe words in 2 Cor. v. 8. _ * Abfent fromthe body, and prefent with. “the Lord?” Abfent trom this traitor,. this vexing enemy, that we conftantly carry about with us! Abfent from the clog and: _ chain of this finful flefh, the prifon ‘wherein. we are kept in conftant dark nefs, and are con-- - fined from God! Abfent from thefe eyess. that have drawn our fouls afar from God by- various temptations!’ And abfent from thefe: ears, by which we have been allured to tranf- . gteffion and defiling iniguities ! Abfent from- thefe lufis and. paffions, from that. fear and. that hope, that pleafure and that pain, that love, that defire, and anger, which are all.car-. nal, and feated in the fiefhy nature, and be-., come the fpring and oceafion of fo much fin and mifchief to our fouls in this. flate... _“ Abfent fromthe body, and prefent with, the Lord.” Methinks there is a heaven: contained in the firft part of thefe. words, ~* Abfent from the body ;” and a double bap- ios in the laft, *¢ Prefent with the ‘Lond ed 46 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTs: prefent with him who hath Ged" our fpirits ° through all the days of our chriftian conflict, and hath given us the final ‘Vidtory :” prefent with that God, who fhall eternally sdiiouce us to all holinefs, who {hall forever thine up- on us with his own beams, and make us con- _formable to his own holy! image 5 "prefent’ with that’ Lerd ‘and Saviour) ftom: ‘whom it’ _flrall‘not be ‘in the power ‘of all creatures’ to- ~ divert or draw: us afide. SERMONS, Vv. 1. Pp. 9°. ~ SUBSTANCE OF NATURAL [RELIGION , “-DOUBTLESS man seni know por be> leve, in the firft, place, that:there-is.a God, and ‘that this God 2s but Ones for God is too- "jealous of his honour and -dignity,.and too- much concerned in this important point, tor _lavith out happinefs, and his heavenly favours, on any perfon who makes other gods to be- come his rivals ; or who exalts a ereature, or a mere chimera, into the throne of God, He - mutt believe, alo, that God isa being of per- fect wifdem, power,.and goodnels,. and that he is the righteous Governor of the world. -Man mutt alfo- know, that he’ himfelf eo creature of God, furnithed with a facult of underftanding to perceive setamenay € Hi! WHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 47 ence between good and evil,in the moft im- portant inftances of it ; and-endowed with a will, which is a power to chu‘e or to refufe the evil or. the good ; that he is obliged to exert thefe powers or faculties in aright mar- ner, both towards God and towards himfelf, as well as hisneighbour. 1 do not infift up- on it, that he mult know thefe propofitions, explicitly, and in a_ philofophical »mannen ; but ne muft have fome fort of confciouinels of his own natural powers, to know and dif- tinguifh, to chufe or to refufe good or evil, : and mutt be fenfible of his obligations to in- quite and practice what is good, and to avoid - what ts evil. As for the duties that relate to God, man is obliged to worthip him with reverence, to honour him in his heart and life, on account of his wifdom and power manitefted in the world ; to fear his Majefty, to love him, and hope in his goodnefs, to give him thanks for what inftances of it he partakes of, to feek to him for what bleffings he wants, and to’ carry ' it toward him as his Maker, -his Lord, and oO) > his Governor. | , He muft know aifo, that fince God. isa «¢ righteous Governor,” if he does not make. good men happy in this world, and the wick- ed miferable, thea there wuft be another world, wherein heiwill appoint fome: happt- nei for the good, and milery for the wicked’ | gt in general, that he will fome time or other + { (48. THE BEAUTIES/OF ‘DR. WATTS. diftribute rewards and punifhments toall per- fons, according to their behaviour: for this - has a-very confiderable influence into all ho- ‘inefs of life, and every part of morality, which “awill hardly be practiced without thefe motives. As for the duties which relate to other men, _ every man mutt know and believe, that as he 4s placed here among a multitude of fellow- -creatures of his own fpecies or kind, he is bound to practice truth or veracity, juftice ~-and.goodne(s toward them, according to the feveral relations in which they may ftand, as a father, brother, fon, hufband, ‘neighbour, fubject, matter, fervant, buyer, feller, &e. And with regard to himfelf, he is bound ito exercife fobriety and temperance, and to maintain a due government over his appe- tites and paflions, that they run not into ex-— cefs:and extravigance. And finally, fince every man .n willfrequent- ) ly find himfelt coming fhort of his duty-to God and. man, and betrayed into fin by the ftrength of his temptations, : his appetites and | pafhons, i in the various occurrences of dife, he - muft repent of his fins, be fincerely for ‘what he has done amifs, humbly afk forgi nefs of God, and endeavour to ferve and pleafe him-in all things for the time to come, vand he muft exercife a hope or truft i -mercy of God, that uponrepentance and new obedience, God will forgive Gaetan ee them again into his favour, © STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUM, RE AGO: ~ | «SHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 49 / THE MAN OF HUMILITY. » EUDOXUS. jis a. gentleman of exalted — ‘~vittue and unftained reputation, every foul ‘that knows him fpeaks well of him; he is fo -amuch honoured, and fo well beloved in hit nation, that he mutt flee his country, if he would avoid praifes, -Sofenfible is he of the fecret pride ghat has tainted human nature, ‘that he holds: himfelt in perpetual danger, cand maintains an everlafting watch. He;be- haves now with the fame modefty as .when he was unknown and ob{cure. He receives the acclamiations of ‘the world with fuch an humble mein! and with fuch an indifference. of fpirit that is truly admirable and divine. “It isa lovely pattern but the imitation is not. taly.—I took the freedom one day to afk. -him,-how he acquired this wonderous humi-. ‘lity, or whether he was born with. no pride’ about him? “ Ah, no (faid he, with a facred “ figh) Tfeel the workingpoifon, but I keep “‘ my antidote at hand; when my triends * aiiyy OF THE GOVERNMENT OF OUR THOUGHTS. intrude upon us while we fhun them 3 there age others that fly front us, when we would ~ e ei = at TRE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS.» Sr hold and fix them.—If the ideas-which you _. would willingly make the matter of your pref- ent meditation are ready to ily from you, you © muft be obftinate in the purfuit of them by an habit of fixed meditation; you muft keep: your foul to the work, when itts ready to ftart afide every moment, unlefS you will abandon yourfelf to-be.a flave to every wild imagina- tion. It is acommon, but it is a very unhap- py anda fhameful thing,that every trifle that comes acrols the fenfes or fancy fhould divert us, that a buzzing fly fhouid teaze our fpirits, and {catter our beft ideas : but we muft learn to be deaf to and regardlefS of other things,. befides that which we make the prefent fub- jet of our meditation ; and in order to help ~ a wandering and fickle humour, it is proper ~. to have a book or paper in our hands, which has fome proper hints of the tubject that we ‘defign to purlue. We mutt be refolute and laborieus, and fometimes conflict with our- _ felves, if we wou'd be wife and learned. Yet I would not be too fevere inthis rule.. ~ It maft be confeffed, there are feafons when. | the mind, or rather the brain, is over-tired or, jaded with. fudy and thinking ; or upen {omer _ other accounts animal. nature may be languid, or cloudy, and unfit to affift the fpirit in. meditation’;. at {uch feafons. (provided that they return not too often) it is better fome- times to yield to the prefent indifpofition.. _ Then you may think it proper to give your- oe. he en gies a Sal Tu aa bi. $2 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, felf up to fome hours of leifure ind recreation. or ujeful idlenefs ; or if not, then” thoughts to fome other alluring: fabje@, and pore no longer upon the firft, till fome bright- er or more favourable moments.arife.” A ftu-. dent fhall do more in one hour, when all. things concur to inyite him to any fpecial fludy, than in four hours, at ara and im- proper ae LOGIC, p- 7 OF THE ARRANGEMENT, oF OUR IDEAS. : Nh AS a trader who never places his megs in: “his thop of warehoule in a regular order, nor keeps the accounts of his buying and Aelling, . paying and receiving, in.a juft method, is in: the utmoft danger of plunging all his. affairs. mto confution, and ruin 3 {fo a fludent who is: in fearch of truth, or-an authot or. teacher wlio i communicates knowledge to others, will very miuch obftrué his defign, and confound his Own mind, or the minds of his hearers, unlefs ; he range his ideas injuft order. If we would. therefore become fuccefsful learners or teach- _ ets, we mutt not conceive things in aconfufed heap, but difpofe our ideas in fome certain’ method, which may be moft eafy and ufeful both for the sane eases and memory. LOGIE; B. 1ZZ.- (THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 53: A ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT, - WHERE there is wealth, equipage; and | Blendos, we are ready to call that man hap: - pys_ but we fee. not the vexing difquietudes- of his foul : and when we fpy.a perfon in rags ged garmi@hts, we form a, defpicable epinion ’ of-hit too. fuddenly,; we can -hasdly: think - him either. happy or wife, our judgment is fo biafed by ontward’ and fenGble things... It -was through the power of this prejudice that - the Jews gejected our bleffed Saviour ; they: could not fuffer, themfelves to believe,that - the man whe appeared as the fon of a. carpen- ter was. alfo the Son of God. And becaufe- “St. Pavl was of little fature,.a mean pr efence,: and,his voice contemptible, fome, of the Co- vinihians were tempted to doubt whether he was infpired or no... This prejudice is cured: by a Jonger acquaintance with the world, and a jut, obfervation that things are dometimes: better and fometimes worle, than they appear to be. We.ought therefore to_reftrain, our exceflive forwardnels to form out opinion of perfons or things before we have opportunity to-fearch i into them more perfectly. LOGIC, p. 190, E2 . 3 - ae . rai 54 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS: . There is. fearce any thie in the world of* - nature or art, in the world of morality or Te- ligion, that is perfectly uniform. “There is a ‘mixture of wifdom and folly, viceand virtue, good and evil both in men-and things. We fhould remember that fome perfons have great wit and little judgment ; others are judicious, but not witty: Some aré good humoured. without compliment ; others. all the formality of complaifance, but no good hu-. mour. We ought to know that one manmay” be vicious and learned; while another has vir= tue without learning; that many aman thinks admirably well, who has a poor utterance ;. while others have a charming manner offpeech,. but their thoughts are trifling and imperti-. nent. Some are-good neighbours, and cour-. teous and charitable towards men, who have- No piety towards God ;- others are truly reli- gious, but of morofe natural tempers. Some: excellent fayings are found in-very filly books, _and fome filly things appear in books of value. We fhould neither praife nor- difpraife by wholefale, but feparate the good front the e- vil, and judge of them apart : the accuracy ofa good judgment confifts in making ae difttinctions. . £08 oie ie ¥ spy . THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. ~ 6S: |. THE POWER OF. ELOQUENCE. ~WHEN a man: of eloquence fpeaks or: writes upon any fubject, we are too ready to: run into his fentiments, being {weetly and in-- fenfibly drawn by the fmoothnefs of his ha. rangue, and the pathetic: power of his lan-- guage. Rhetoric will varnith every error, fo» that it fhall appear im the-drefs- of truth, and put fuch ornaments upon vice, as to make it - Took like virtue. It isan art of wondrous and extenfive influence ; it ofterr conceals, ob-- feures, or overwhelms the: trath, and_ places. fometimes a grof§ falfehood in the moft al- luring light.. The-decency of action, the mu- fie oF the voice, the harmony of the periods, , the beauty of the ftile, and all the engaging. airs of the fpeaker, have often charmed the hearers into error, and perfuaded them to ap- prove whatfoever is propofedin fo agreeable a manner: “A. large affembly- ftands expofed: at once to the power of thefe prejudices, and’ imbibes them all. So Cicero and Demoffhenes made the Romans and the Athenians believe almoft whatfoever-they pleafed: The beft defence againft both thefe dangers, . ts to learn the {kill (as much as poffible, of — feparating our thoughts and ideas from words. ‘and phrates, to judge ofthe things from their: ewn natures, and in their natural or juft relae e » - 66 THE BEAUTIES: oF DRA WaTTs. tion to one another, abftradted toi. rat ule: . of language, and to maintain a fteady and: obftinate refolution, * to hearken to- nothing. but truth, in whatloever ftile or drets it ap- “ pense: 1) Te a BET See : 44 wh ae vi 1/2063, p. 197 ar ‘ i OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS. ‘nite THE correétion oramendment: of.the Bet ticular offender, is not the only end.of pu ifhment, but the-vindication of the w and juftice of the lawgiver, and his law, abd are like to_be iniu! RARE thelaws-continu-- ally broken afreth, if offences were. always, pafied by with impunity, and if the, oaks were always-pardoned upon repentance, ate is neceflary for a governor fometimes to tea his fubjects what an evil thing it i is to tran: grefs his law, by the proper punithment of thofe. who offend., ‘Tine Honour and.avthor-- ity ef government mutt be “fometimes fup-- ported and vindicated by fuch feverities ; and: though it may pleafe a fone acne to. pardon an offender, out of his good-. _. nels, when he is truly penitest yeaa ¢ ime yet no degrees of penitence.can affar ffare th fender that he {hall-certainly:and enti ly-he forgiven, or can claim forgivenels atthe ha cd THE BEAUTIES OF DR: WATTS, “57 eat the: fovereign ; becdufe repentance ' thakes. - ~ ‘Ro recompence at all forthe difhonour done ' to the authority of the Jaw, and: of him that _ made it. His future cbedience’is all due, if _ he had never finned ; and therefore it cannot - eompentate for paft neglects and tranfgref- ~ fions. "STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUMAN REASON, p. 62.” _ - - — SALVATION. PROCURED THROUGH THE MEDIA- TION: ‘OF Jesus CHRIST. — : i TAM ipertisatledy ‘that God never did or will forgive: ithe fins of any man :upon earthy, _ whether Jew, Heathen, or Chriftiany nor re- _ €cive any of our: finful ; rast it Ls: favour. but upon’ the account of what Jefus, Chrift lisdon, the! Mediator, has done and:fuffered,. - for the:atonement and expiation of fin, and the recovery of aman to the favour of: God + _ fo that if Heathens are faved, 1 think. itis owing to the»merit of Chrift, and his death: - There: is falvation im no other,:nor is « there any other name whereley. man may © be faved.*. If any of thofe who. never heard of. Chri ‘might be faved with= out the influence of his atonement and me= - diation, why might not they that have heard: ot him be bean without it alfo ? -Thus-there + ere, Oe a ate 5 : \ ‘ ax Die am : s 58 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. would be no need of him to become a medi-- ator, or to make atonement for the fins af one or the other, and thus: Chrift would have lived and died to very little purpofe. | STRENGTH AND WEAK. OF HUM. REASON, p. 1045 SALVATION TO BE EXTENDED TO THOSE WHO» HAVE NOT BELIEVED IN OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR. - THOUGH I fuppofe no- man. fhall: be faved but by virtue of the mediation and death of Chrift, nor doth the gofpel permit me to allow falvatren to thofe who. wilfully and finally reje@ it,. under elear light and evidence ; yet there is good reafon to believe, that there have been many finners actually faved, who never believed in Jefus Chrift the Son of Mary, nor ‘ever heard of his name; nor bad any notion of his atoning dtath and: facrifice. Such were fome of the early def= cendants.of Noah,. who lived long before this name was known i the world, among whom we may reckon Abimelech king of the Philiftines, Melchifedec-king of Salem; Job’ in the land-of Uz,. with his four friends, and many others, who fearedGod, and wrought — rightcoufnefs : and. fuch. were many good. _men among the. Jews,.who might be made — partakers. of the benefits of the dea a ok ¢ . Ay ‘i 8 ia ‘ | --s SPHE BEAUTIES OF DRWATTS: gy te ‘ Chritt, and his facrifice; though they had no ‘general notion of iduch a fort of Meffiah, or Saviour, as was to be made.a facrifice for. ‘the fins of men: nor is this at, all incredible, | Mince St. Peter himfelf, who had been a dif- | ciple of Chrift fo Jong, did not believe this ~ doctrine even a little before his mafter’s death, . when he complimented his mafter concern- ting his crucifixion, Mart. xv. 22. and faid, 4¢ Be it far from thee, Lord, this hall not be unto thee.” | ! : Nor is it unreafonable to have the fame charitable thoughts concerning feverat other _ perfons of the heathen world, during the con- tinuence of the Jewith church and ftate, who had either maintained the knowledge of the true God, by tradition from Noah, or recov- ered it by converfe with)the: Jews, and wor- _ fhipped him as a God of jifftice and) mercy, with fear and hope: fuch was Cornelius the centurion, and Lydia, and feveral others, who" were called devout perfons, and fuch as fear- 4 or worfhipped God, in the hiftory of the Atis, chap. x. 7. and) xvi. 14. xvii. 4. and x. 2. And it ts poffible, that fince the firft _age of chriftianity there may have been fome -fach religious perfons, of this fame character, _‘who were faved, though they never heard the doctrine of Jefus Chrift; for if they had fo much religion as would have faved them be- _ fore that’ time, furely they fhall never be ex- el 60, THE BEAUTIES OF/DR, WATERS. - cluded, from: ‘vation peabinia teens i the dodirine ot Chritt, if Pa. alte hie — in the reach of it”) » 4). _ ¢ STRENGTH nt ne nenbe ala 106. % Te ek x‘fvig WE THE BLESSINGS sratctersi')~ PROM PRAYER. THERE i is Gite a thing, as converte: nade God:im prayer, and it is the:life and pleafure . of a'pious foul ; without it we are no chil» tians; andshe that practiles it moft, isthe beft; follower of Chritt ; for our Lord {pent much: time in converte with: his Heavenly Father.’ "This:is balm t at-eafes the moft raging pains: of the mind, whe wounded con{cience comes‘to then feat, and finds pardon’ and peace there. This is the cordial that: revives and exalts ournatures, when the fpirtt, broken with forrows, and almoft fainting tov ’ death, draws near tothe Almighty Phyfician, x and is healed and-refrethed, » The athe in heaven-is-our fureft. and {weeteft reft every hour of diftrefs and charlene abaliectia th this is‘our daily fupport and belief, bile awe are paffing through a world of temptations’ and hardfhips in’ the way to. the promifed» Jand. * It is good to: draw pemrione ae. Ixxii. 28. . tal CERMONS, VOL. 3 p. are re oe WHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 6s ‘LESSON OF HUMILITY, _ THINK what a numberlefS variety of queftions and difficulties: there are belonging to that particular fcience, in which you have | made the greateft progrefs, and how few of ahem there are in which you have arrived at a final and undoubted certainty ; excepting on- ly thofe queftions'in which ‘the pure and fim- ple mathematics, whofe theorems are demon- - ftrable and leave fcarce any doubt ; and yet _ even in the purfuit of fome few of thefe, man- kind have been ftrangely bewildered. Spend a few thoughts fometimes onthe puzzling enquiries concerning vacuums and ‘atoms, the dorine of infinites, indivifibles -and incommenfurables in geometry, wherein there appear fome infolvable difficulties : do this on .purpofe to give you a more fenfible impreflion of the poverty of your underftand- ing, and the imperfection of your knowledge. This will teach you what a vain thing it isto fancy that you know all things, and will in- ~ firuct you to think modeftly of your prefent attainments, when every duft of the earth, and every inch of empty fpace furmounts your underftanding, and triumphs over your -prefumption. .4rithmo had been bred up to accounts all his life, and thought himfelfia ee i ‘yy .& 7 ee te a , > ' a es : a5 62 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. complete mafter of numbers. But when re: was pufhed hard to give the Square-Root the number 2, he tried at it, and laboured Jong in millefimal fractions, till he confeffed there was no end of the enquiry ; and yet he jearnt fo much modefty by. this perplexing — queftion, that he .was abvaid to fay, “It was “an impoffible thing.” ”Tis fome good de- gree of improvement when we are airaid to de pofitive. Read the accounts of thofe vatt treafures - of knowledge which fome of the dead have pofiefied, and fome of the living do poffefs. Read and be aftonifhed at the almoft incred- ible advances which have been made in fci- ence. Acquaint yourfelves with fome per- fons of great learning, that by converfe among them, and comparing yourfelves with them, » you may acquire a mean opinion of your own . attainments, and may thereby be animated with new zeal, to equal them as far as poffi- ble, or to exceed : thus let your diligence be quickened by a generous and laudable emu- : AOD. % IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART I, PB. 8. wii s : > DOGMATISM “CENSURED. MAINTAIN a conflantwatch at ae againft a dogmatical ipirit : fix not -your af dent to any propofition ina firm ee THE BEAUTIES OP DR. WATTS. 63 ble manner, till you have fome firm and-un~. “alterable ground for it, and_ till you have ar- -fived at fome clear and fure evidence ; till “you have turned the propofition on all fides, and fearched the matter through and through, ‘fo that you cannot be miftaken. And even where you think you have full grounds _of aflurance, be not too early, nor too fre- quent, in expreffing this affurance in too “peremptory and pofitive a manner, remem- bering that human nature is always liable to _miftake i in this corrupt and feeble flate. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART XD Pp. 18. A DOGMATICAL fpirit eee’ a matt to be cenforious of his neighbours, Every one of his opinions appears to him written as mt were with funbeams, and he grows angry that his neighbour does not fee it in the fame light. He is tempted to difdain ‘his corref- “pondents as men of low and dark underftand- “ings, becaufe they do not believe what he does. EMPROVEMENT-OF THE MIND, PART 1, F. 20. “MEDITATION. MEDITATION or Study includes all thole exercifes of the mind whereby we fender all the former methods ufeful for out — 64 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS: increafe in true knowledge and wifdom. *Tis: by meditation we come to confirm our menr- ory of things that pafs through our thoughts. in the occurrences of life, in our own expe- Tiences, and in the obfervation we make ; “tis. by meditation that we draw various inferen- ces, and eftablifh in our minds general prin- ciples of knowledge: ’tis by meditation that’ | we coinpare the various ideas. which we derive: | from our, fenfes, or from the operation of our ~ fouls, and join them in propofitions. It is by: meditation that we fix in our memory what- foever we learn, and form our own judgment — of the truth or falfhood, the ftrength or weak- eefs of what others {peak or write. It is med- itation or ftudy that draws out long chains: — of argument, and fearches and finds deep and, - difficult truths which before lay concealed in: darknefs, bey, iaalaieies IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART I, Pe 336 ei tias eee sale cancun, OBSERVATION. “4 IT is owing to obfervation that our mind ... is furnifhed with the firft, fimple, and ‘com-- plex ideas. ’Tis this lays the ground-work and foundation of all knowledge, and makes ~ us capable of ufing any of the other methods. for improving the mind for.if we didnot - ie ¢ 9 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 65 a attain a variety of fenfible and intellectual ideas, by the fenlation of outward objects, by the conicioufnefs of our own appetites and. _ paffions, pleafures and pains, and by inward experience of the actings of our own fpirits it: would be impoffible either for men or books to teach us any thing. It is obfervation that muft give-us our firft ideas of things, as it in- cludes in it fenfe and confcioufnels.. All our knowledge derived from obferya- tion, whether it b= of fingle ideas or of pro-- pofitions, is knowledge gotten.at firft hand. Hereby we fee and know things as they are,. or as they appear to us’; we take the impref- fions of them on our minds from the original: objects themfelves, which give a clearer and ftronger conception of things. Thefe ideas are more lively, and the propofitions (at leaft qn many cafes) are much more evident. Whereas what knowledge we derive from- lectures, reading, .and converfation, is but the copy of other snen’s ideas ; that is the pic- ture of a picture ; and ’tis one remove further from the original. bss. ig _ Another advantage of obfervation is, that - we may gain knowledge all the day long, and every moment of our lives, and every moment: of oar exiftence we may be adding fomething to our intellectual treafures thereby, except ~ only while we are afleep ; and even then the’ remembrance of our dreamings will teach us ; Pe ee « 66 THE BEAUTIES.OF DRaWATTS, ie truths, and lay.a. foundation for a bates 4 ter acquaintance with human sature both im. the powers and in the frailties.otit. IMPROVEMENT-OF THE MINDy PART 15 P. 34. — : ADVANTAGES OF READING. BY reading we acquaint ourfelves in a very.extenfive manner with the affairs, ac-. tions and. thoughts of the living and shies dead, in the moft remote nations, and in the. moft diftant ages 3. and: that. with as much, — eafe as though they lived in.our ownage and. - Nation. By “reading of books we may. learn. fomething from all parts of mankind ; where- _ as by obfervation. we learn from ourfelves,. and only \ what comes within our direct, cog- nizance : by converfation we. can.only enjoy; the affiftance of.a very few perfons, wiz. thole who are near us, and live at the fame time that we do ; that is, our neighbours and con+ _ temporaries. But our knowledge is ftill much — more narrowed .than if we confine ourfelves. merely to our own lolitary reafonings without. much obfervation or reading : for then all. our improvement. muft arife only. from our. own inward powers and meditations.’ — IMPRQOVEMENT_OF THE MIND, PART Be a2: . q “@HE BEAUTIES OF DR. WArTs. 67 -. READING AND CONVERSATION CONTRASTED. _ BY reading we learn not only the actions and the fentiments of diftant nations and a-_ ges, but we transfer to ourlelves the knowl- edge and improvements of the moft learned ‘men, and the wifeft and the beft of mankind, when or wherefoever they lived : for though many books have been written by weak and. injudicious perfons, yet the moft of thofe books which have obtained great reputation. tn the world, are the products of great and. wife men in their feveral ages and nations : whereas we can obtain the converfation and. inftruction of thofe only who are within the reach of our dwelling, or our acquaintance,_ whether they are wife or unwife ; and fome- times that narrow fphere {carce affords ahy ~ °° - perfon of great eminence in wifdom or learn- ing, unlefs our inftructer happen to have this. character. And as for our own f{tudies & med- itations, even when we arrive at fome good degrees of learning, our advantage for further ‘improvement in knowledge by them is ftill far more contracted than what we-may derive from reading. . When we read good authors, we learn the _ beft, the moft laboured and moft refined fen- -timents even of thofe wife.and learned men 3. for they have ftudied hard, and committed: 68° THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. - ’ to writing their matureft ’ thot hts, and the: refult of their long ftudy an experience + whereas by converfation, rire in fome lec- tures, we obtain many times only | the prefent thoughts of our tutors or friends, which- (though they may-be bright and ufeful) yet, at firit perhaps, may be fudden and indigeft- - ed, and are mere hints, which. have rifen to no maturity. ’Tis another advantage of reading that we may revicw what we have read ; we may confult the page again and again, and medi- tate on it, at fucceffive feafons in our fereneft: and retired hours, having the book always at. hand : but what we obtain by converfation : and in lectures, is oftentimes loft again as foon: as the company breaks up, or at leaft when» the day vanifhes ; unlefs we happen to have the talent of a good memory, or quickly re- — tire and mark down.what remarkables we have~ ‘ found in thofe difcourfes. And for the fame. reafon, and for want of retiring and 4 many a learned man has loft feyeral ‘ufeful. . meditations of his own, and could never re-- | call them again. | : “IMPROVEMENT oF THE rms, 3 PART % P. se k ee ee a et VERBAL. INSTRUCTION. THERE is fomething more ‘{prightly,.. more delightful and ee in the: living. a THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 6g. ~ difcourfe of a wife, a learned, and well-quali- ~ fied teacher, than there is in the filent and fe- _ dentary practice of reading. .The very turn: of voice, the good pronunciation, and the po- _ lite and alluring manner which fome teachers -have attained, will engage the attention, keep: _ the foul fixed, and convey and infiquate into- the mind, the ideas of things in a more lively: and forcible way, than the mere reading of books in the filence and retirement of: the- _ clofet. es e : g ‘ ‘IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART 8, P. 33. s — : : = = : CONVERSATION. - WHEN we converfe familiarly with a: learned friend, we have his own-help at hand — _ to explain to us every word and fentiment that feems obfcure in his difcourfe, and to in= - form us of his whole meaning, fo that we are in much lefs danger of miftaking his fenfe whereas in books whatfoever is really obf{cure, may allo abide always obfcure without reme- dy, fince-the author ts not at hand, that we may inquire his fenfe. _ ._ If we miftake the meaning of our friend in - conyerfation, we are quickly fet right again ;. but in reading we many times go on in the: . fime miftake, and are not capable of recov- m< 72 THE BEAUTIES OF DRe Watts. ering ourfelves from it. Thence it comes te pafs that we have fo many contelts in all ages’ about the meaning of ancient authors, and efpecially facred writers. Happy fhould we be, could we but converfe with Mo/es, J/aiab and St, Paul, and confult the prophets and — apoftles, when we meet with a difficult text! — But that glorious converlation is referved for ; the ages of future blefiedneds. 3 woe “BMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART 1, P. 40. Converfation calls out into light what has” been lodged in all the receffes and {ecret chambers of the ‘foul. By occafional hints and incidents it brings old ufeful notions into remembrance ;*it unfolds and difplays the hidden treafures of knowledge with which reading, obfervation and ftudy had before fur- nifhed the mind. By mutual difcourfe, the foul is awakened and allured to bring forth 4 its hoards of knowledge, and it learns how tor render them moft ufeful to mankind. Aman — of vaft reading without converlation is like a mifer, who lives-only to himielfig- 9 In free and friendly converfation‘oar intel- Jectual powers are more animated, and our fpirits a& with a fuperior vigour mthe queft _ and purfuit of unknown truths. Phere isa fharpne(s and fagacity of thought that attends : converfation beyond what we find whilft we are {hut up reading and mufing in our re- — tirements, Our iouls is be ferene in foli- aid THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 71 fende but not fparkling, though perhaps we are employed in reading the works of the brighteft writers. Often has it happened in free difcourfe, that new thoughts are ftrange- dy ftruck out, and the feeds of truth fparkle. and blaze through the company, which in calm and filent reading would never have been — excited. By converfation, you will both give and receive this benefit ; as flints, when pit. jnto motion and ftriking againft each other, _ produce living fire on both fides, which would never have rifen from the fame hard materials in a ftate of reft. In generous converfation amongft ingeni- ous sieich learned: men we have a great advan- tage of propofing our own opinions, and of bringing our own fentiments to the teft, and _ learning in a more Compendious way what the world will judge of them, how mankind will receive them, what objections may be railed againit them, what defeéts there are in our fcheme, and how to correct our own mif- takes; which advantages are not fo eafy ob- tained by our own private meditations : for ' the pleafure we take in our own notions, and the paffion of felt- -love, as well as the narrow- _-nefs of our own views, tempts us to pafs too favourable an‘opinion on our own fchemes ; whereas the variety of genius in our feveral P affociates, will give happy notices how our oe ae will ftand in the view of mankind. “is alfo another confiderable advantage of & ¢ a 72 THE BEAUTIES OF DR, WATTS. -converiation, thatit furnithes the ftudent $e. the knowledge of men and the affairs of hife, | as reading furnifhes him with book-learning. A man who dwells all his days among, books — may have amaffed together a waft heap.of no-_ tions, but he may-be a mere {cholar, mich ‘a contemptible fort of character in the world. A hermit who has been fhut up in his cellin -a college, has contracted a fort of mould and raft upon his foul, and all his airs of behaviour ” have a certain aukwardnels in| them : but thefe aukward airs are worn off by degrees in” company : the ruft and the mould: are’ filed : and bruthed off by polite converfation. The . icholar now becomes a citizen ora gentleman, — a neighbour and a friend 5 he learns how to drefs his fentiments in the faireft colours, as. 4 swell as to fet them in the faireft light. Thus he brings out his notions with honour, he makes. fome ufe of them-in the. world, and : improves the theory by practice. Hee _ . IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART 3, P. 42. if “HATRED REPROVED, AND LOVE OF own FELLOW. j _ CREATURES RECOMMENDED. Sot pedy, oh Was eee. * CONSIDER. whether ‘the perfons: oe hhate are good or not. Tf they are gc od a pes, your hatred has a donk gai a it, cl “* 4 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 73 -fince you are bound to love them both as m *n and chriftians. Will you hate thofe whony God loves? Will you hate thofe who Shave the image of. Chrift, and in whom. the. Spirit of God inhabits? df they have _ ‘any blameable qualities in them, let your — charity caver thofe faults and follies: let -your thoughts rather dwell upon their virtues, and their facred relation to God. - This will have a: happy influence to turn your hatred into love. ‘Tiink of them as members of ‘Chrift, and you cannot hate them if yousare of that blefled body. _ If they are perions who negle& religion, and have not the fear of God, yet they may ‘have fome good qualities.in them, fome mo- tal or focial) virtues, or fome. natural excel- Jencies, which-may merit your efteem, and invite your love : at leaft thefe agreeable ‘qualities may diminifh your averfion, and a- ‘bate your hatred. I confefs it is the nature of malice and envy, to overlook all that is ‘good and amiable in a-perfon,and to remark only what is evil and hateful : but: this is* not the fpirit and temper of a Chriftian, nor of Jefus Chrift our mafter, There was a young man who loved his riches fo well, that the refufed to become.adifeiple ; yet eur blef- ded Lord faw fomeygood. qualities. in® him); “he. looked upon shim, :and doved. him,” Wark x.-21.: opr a iee 3 Gai ioe idan aL Wig € aa Pe ee” ~ 44 THE BEAUTIES oF bivaseEs: But if the perfons whiotn yi nee, Bi hay “nothing good: in them: that “you can find then they ought to be pitied ‘rather than'to be hated: they are’ not worthy of. _your en- vy, nor do they need the punithi nent of y | malice in this world, who expofe tthetulelves to the wrath and vengeance no God in ‘the . . world to come. Will you fay, they are fo. impious before God, and fo injurious’ to men, that they de- “-ferve to be hated ?: ‘But ‘confider, if you were but punithed in every refpect as you deferve, both for your offences againft God and man, what would become of you? Pity then therefore as you hope for pity. Imitate the goodnefs of “ your Heavenly Father, who « makes his fun to thine, ‘ana bis Megs ‘to. fall on the juft and on the unyatt.”’ “This i is the ine of Chrift: . -ereh aie iatemnd DOCTRINE or 4g Pee d oe ote 2 vise fie eee FEAR. is a powell ‘ancb?ttfefad paffion, A ky us from mifchief and mifery, te ‘eh our avoidance of every” danger,’ te drive us to our refuge, and to'reftrain™ every thing which has a tendency to DI evil or michief upon us. sen 1B? errs t a? WHE BEAUTIESOF DR. WATTS 75 _ The anger of God is the moft proper ob-_. iH ea of our fear,.as we are finful creatures : mor.canfinners fear the anger of God too .much, until they have complied with the Fe P appointed methods of his grace.. There is _alfo a. reverence, and holy fear due to the * Majefty of God,. even when we have obtain- — '. ed the moft folid hopes of his mercy: we mutt always’ fear to fin againft God, and | keep up a holy jealoufy of all temptations to fin. All this is called religious fear. By Ne i BOCTRINE OF THE- PASSIONS, P. II4. ee ae UNREASONABLE FEAR. BUT the ober which I {peak ae this place iS an unjaft and unreafonable fear of any - “creature whatloever, or of any occurrences in life: it is a timorous fpirit, which fubjects the whole nature to the power and tyranny of the paffion _ of fear, beyond all reafonable grounds : “as for inflance, a fear of being a- Joné, or in the dark ; a perpetual fear oP es _. vilaccidents by fire or water, or wicked men; a difquieting fear of ghofts and apparitions ; of little inconfiderable animals, fuch as fpid- ers, frogs,, or worms ; unreafonable and anx- fous fears. of the lofs of eftate or friends ; ak fj poverty or calamity of any kind,. a ae aa 76 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. whereby we are too often reftrain | from our prefent duty, and our lives are r very un- comfortable. All manner of fear becomes: irregular when it rifes’ to am exceffive de gree, and is fuperior to the danger. POCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, P. 116.) AGAINST HASIY DETERMINATION, ke HASTY determination of fome uni- 4 erfal principles without a due furvey of all” the particular cafes which may be included i in them, is the way to lay a trap for our own, wnt saneD oes 2 in the purfutt of any dubject,. : and we fhall often be taken captives Ippon ites | take and falthood- ; IMPROV: OF THE MND, ee, Feast ae Pak a ie A iy t 2S ey ‘Shhyes SSeS Se ee ee < - * ‘ ‘ “4 ab i! PROFITABLE, METHOD OF READING dra . MENDED. -BOOKS. of importance of “any ind a n efpecialiy compleat treatifes om ai thould be firft read in = ore ae and cur.» sh fory manner, to Jearna little what the treatife promifes, and what you may expect from the — % - Ls : ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS.. 77% writer’s manner and ‘kill. ‘And for this end FE would: advife always, that the preface be _read, and a furvey taken of the table of con- tents, if there be one, betore this firft furvey’ ~ of ‘the book. By this means you:will not. on- ly be better fitted to give the book the firft reading, but you willbe much affifted in your: fecond peruial of it, which fhould be done: with greaterattentionand dehberation,and you: will learn with more eafe and readinefs what the author pretends te teach.’ In your read- - ing, maik, what is new or unknown to you: before, and review thofe chapters, pages or paragraphs. Unilefs a reader has an uncom- mon and moft retentive memory, I.may ven- ture to affitm,-that there is fcarce any beok: or chapter worth reading that is not worthy a fecond perufal. At leaft take a: careful re- view of all the lines or paragraphs which you: marked, and make a recolle&tion of the fec-- tions which you thought traly valuable... There is another reafon ao why F would: - ehufe' to take a fuperficialand eurlory furvey~ ef a book, before F fit down to read-it, and: dwell upon it with fludicus-attentiom ; and: that: is, that. there may be feveral difficulties ii it which we cannot eéafily underftand and: - eonquer at the firft reading, for want of a _ fuiler comprehenfion of the author’s: whole: - feheme. And‘-therefore infuch treatifes-we- _ hould not ftay till'we-mafter every difficulty = 78 | THE brava ov Date at the firft perufal ; for'p would appear to be foh proceeded farther in’ thatrbo , vanith of ‘themfelves upon ond reading. © ov What. we cannot) reach! atid . penetrate iat | firft aiay: be: resin It nome rm ‘confideration: and the pages'that follow do. not taboo to ftrike a compleat: : light 7 thofe which:went»beforess »: 0 7 ne? IMPROV, ‘ov "7A slixb) FARA 66" ‘ Gent igo cl we basis tees sity Hoe ob coo.cge a Wee Ms sities earners ge ; saat waaay ah Site & a8 wa ¥ on re are y eS ek ke te, -# 4 ri Bet Rie RE : pasa OF CONVERSING WaT MEN OF) VAR » RIOUS »COUNTRIES,» AND: ee ~ regi »TIES,, OF INIINGE ,AND: Yop sea F SN " CONEINE not, yourfelues-always.to-one_ fort of. company, or « to, perfons- of tl the fam party, or opinion, either m: rer 3 of learn-- ing,, religion,, or, the. ci ie, et yan fhould happen to. be n in, early miftake, you, fhould be pine tte and. eftablithed 4 in the fame miflake, by gone veifing only with: pesfons. ual fame. fenti- - ments. Acree ; and, general, converfation i with .meny of. various, count ries, anc different. parties,,. opinions, and practices (fo tar as may be done. fafely) \is of excellent ufe: to undeceive. us in many. wrong judgn ‘THE! BEAUTIES OF DRI WATTS. 7 “saihitchewe inay vhave’ framedy and ‘tordead us. ‘into jufter thoughts. '-It- is faid,.wheno the | -king of Siam,‘ near ‘China, firft’ conyerfed with fome European merchants; who fought _ the favour! of -trading: on) his» coaft,ihe-en+ — Jquired’ of «theny fomelsofi thé: commiohyap- | spearances’ of fummer and winter in their coun- try sant. when they told him of water grow- dng:fo hard ine their rivers,othat. men! and horlés;.and laden? carriages:pafied over it, and “that -rainfometimes fell dowm as’ white and Jigbeas teathers;and fometimes almoft as hard as ftones,-he'could not»believea fylable he faid, forticey {now and hail, were names and things utterly unknown tohimyand to his fubjectsan «that: hot*climate + he therefore | renounced all _ ‘traffic with fuchifhameful lars,and would: not fuffer them totrade with his: people.-Seehere the naturale ffects:of igrofs ignorance. © .Converfation _ with: foreigners) (On various. ~eccafions® has: a happy) influence:to enlarge our minds and to fet them. free. frony many. “errors: and grofs. prejudices we: are’ eee po: _imbibeconcerning, themslorras ody daiy 20011 $9 QUI 15 IMPROV. oF Ta any bans Ke pe 125. qh hare settee. wic Ne cae Tone Paes i reat y 3 ee Ref WeEE r oF) feat rf ft 0 3 oo ‘RENDER sibineiieinss inbrRucTove! enteehods togaper e “EO- aaske: SE oeaieet meres subleadble- aad: wes whether. it- be. ina defigne d or igh EE ue i 50 THE BEAUTIES OF PR. WATTS. ; accidental vifit,,among perfons af the: ite or different fexes, after the neceflary faluta~ tions.are finifhed, and the: ftream: of com~ | mon. talk begins to hefitateyon fuss fiat and’. low, let fome one perfon ‘take a book which: maybe agreeable tothe whole:company,.andi | by common confent | let! him» fead. in ititen- | lines, or a paragraph on two,or.d-few pages, till: fome word: or jentence gives.oceafion for | any of the company to offer a theught.or: | two relating to that fabjeéis interruption of the reader fhould: be no blame; ior converfa~ - tion is the bufinefs 5. whether: it be tex cons - firm what the author fays, or to: improve ity.” to enlarge upon it, orto correct it, to objec againftt it,-or:to afle any qu queftion.thatis a-kin: — tovit;, and let: everyoone: ‘that: pleafe addi their opinion,.and promote:the converlation:. — When the difcourfe finksagain: of:diverts;to — trifles, let him» that. reads purfae the page,. and read:on further paragraphs~or pages;. til’ _ fome: occafion: is.given ‘by: a wordon a: fen> tence.for a. new difvourle;to be» ftanted,. andy that-with the utmoft:eafe: and treedom::Such- a method. as this would. prevent the hours of a vifit from running all to wafte ;. and by: this means even.among {cholars they will fel+ dom find oceafion for that: too juftand bitter reflecaons 4¢ [have loftemy. ‘time in:theccom-- “pany. of the learned.” be tii By fuch:practiee: asthis® is ES may. very honourably, and agyecably improve « al \ THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. $1 ‘their hours, while one applies herfelf to réad= ing, the others employ their attention, even . among the various artifices of the needle ; but Jet all of them make their occafional. re- marks or enquiries.’ This will guard a good deal of that precious time from modifh trifling impeftinence or fcandal, which might otherwife afford matter for painful repent- ance... i P30 i i” ~ Obferve this rule in general; whenfoever it lies in your power to lead the converfation, let it be directed to fome profitable point of knowledge or practice, fo'far as may be done with décency 3 andlet not the difcourfe.and the hours be fuffered to'run loofe without aim or defign ; and when a fubjec& is ftarted, pafs not haflily to another, before ¢ you ‘have brought the prefent theme! of difcourfe to fome tolerable iffue, or a joint confent to drop it. BEES (Man Ars } ee % is 3 aa ) 9) AMPROVEMENT oF THE MIND, PART 1,7. 129) $ id e SS a v ‘res A : { ete Laas " EXHORTATION AGAINST EXCESSIVE SORROW. | LET not your thoughts dwell continual ly upon your diftreffes and afflictions. Suf- fer not the chamber of your fouls to be ev- er hung round with dark and difmal ideas : - ehew not always the worm-wood and the ee ee > €2 THE BEAUTIES OF:D: “gall, 3. but: remember | th f mercies you venjoy, and: Feeie sions yf “grace in the gofpel, ; the: immoral _bleffings of pardon of ry and ‘eternal life; the’ love of God, «amd the hope. of -heaven, Look fometimes: on thele brighter {cenes ;. fuffer not your forrow: to. bury all your. patt and prefent:comforts:im- darknef§,. and) obli- vion. Thankfulnefs is oneyway to joy. ~~ Remember, if you are a Chriftian indeed, ; ie fprings of your grief. cannot. flow. long the hour of death will -dry them. valk The lait nioment of ‘this mortal life is‘a « _ tam-and final. period of-forrow: Conv much among the -manfions ‘and-joys*of ; invifible world and your hope which ‘up ‘there : the very gleamings o of t! .will brighten: the darkeft -p welieve the foul under its deft Compare your miferies with yi then you will thinkethemdig ; learn then to bear your burdens with ferene and peaceful mind, and turn you rows intorepentance for fim © But, Se excufe, our fins: “weheyeas fi exu lighter, if we did” dae oe much, heavier ; evils we have ——— eholy and offend ots | sees THE BEAUTIES-OPDR. WATTS, -83 : - No eS ee te eet siv2et tigate SB Ad ¢ u 4, ee if shee oe, 2 Bosal Da $ P U ft, pAgd it. a cee ” “GREAT. care alll be Aakcdhe left ‘yon Bebates: break in upon your paffions, and a2. waken them te take part im the controverfly. ‘When the opponent pufhes‘hard, and” gives jutt and mortal wounds to our own opinion, our ‘paffions are very apt to feel the ftiokes, and to rife:in: refentment and defence.” * Seif is fo mingled with the fentiments which we have: chofen, and has fach a tender fecling of all the oppofition: whichis made to them, that’ perfonal brawls are: Very‘ready to‘come in asfeconds to fucceed'‘and finifhthe dif. pute of opinions. Then noife' andclamour — and folly appear in all their fhapes, and hae reafon and ‘truth out of fight. IMPROVEMENT oF TRE MIND, Pe 366: 3 < fe a 2 bene be iu sh hehe ~ we . ACADEMICAL DISP dag ea fo hehe . en dS vantages: to be attained: by-academical dif- -putation. © It gives vigour” and brifknefs to the mind) thus. exercifed, and. relieves. the . Svs - ‘eS : : Jes S55 ys EL _ é 4,\7%° ao i fees be ‘cohk hal ABeE a are Goi ads Ss 84 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. languor of private ftudy and meditation. Tt fharpens the wit and all the inventive powers. It makes the thoughts active, and fends them on all fides to find nts and anfwers both for oppofition aud defence.” It gives opportunity of viewing the fubjyect of dif- courfe on all fides, and of Jearning what in- conveniences, difficulties and objections at- ’ tend particular opinions. It furnifhes the. - foul with various occafions of ftarting- fuch thoughts as otherwife wouldnever have come — into the mind. It makes a ftudent -more ‘expert in attacking and refuting an:error,. ole _well as in vindicating a truth. It inftructs a» {cholar in the various methods of warding of — the force of objections, and.of difcoverin g — and repelling the -fubtil tricks of | Ic procures alfo a freedom and readinefs of fpeech, and raifes the modeft and seem genius to a due degree of courage. | But there are fome very grievous, inconve- . aiencies that may fometimes overbalance- all thefe advantages. For many young ftudents by a conftant habit of difputing, grow im- pudent and audacious, proud and difdainful, talkative and impertinent, and render them- — felves.intolerable by an obftimate humour of maintaining whatfoever they have aflerted, as well as by: a {pirit of contradiction; oppol- ing almoft every thing almoft every: thing they hear. ‘The: difputation itfelf-often a- wakens the paflions of ambition; émulation, THE BEAUTIES OF ‘DR. WATTS.,- Rice ‘gud anger; it carries away the mind from C30 calm and fedate ‘temper which is,fo ne- reeflary to contemplate truth. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART Jy.?. he GF FIXING THE ATTENTION. A STUDENT fhould labour by all prop- er micthods. to acquire.a fteady fixation of. thought. Attention isa very neceflary thing in order to improve our minds. The evi- dence of truth does not always appear imme-_ diately, nor ftrike the foul at firft fight. ’Tis by long attention and infpection that we. ar- Yive at Mederices and it is-for want of it we judge falfly of many things. We make hatte to judge and determine upon a flight and fud- den view, we confirm our guefles which arife from a glance, we pals a judgment while we have but a contufed or obfcure perception, and thus plunge ourfelves into miftakes. ‘This is like a man, who walking in a mift, or being at a great diftance from any vifible object, (fuppofe a tree, a man, a horfe, or a church) judges much amifs of the Agure and fituation and colours of it, and fometimes takes one for the other; whereas if he would but withhold his judgment till he come nearer to it, or flay’ > : aed $6. THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. — til clearer light comes, and then would fix his eyes longer upon it, he would fecure him- felf from thofe miftakes. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND, PART 1, P. 211. Mathematical {tudies have a ftrange influ- ence towards fixing the attention of the mind, — and giving a fteadinefs to a wandering difpo- fition, becaufe they deal much in lines, figures — and numbers, which affect and pleafe the © fenfe and imagination. Hiftories have a ae ss ftrong tendency the fame way ; for they en- — gage the foul by a variety of fenfible occur- ~ rences ! when it hath begun, it knows not — how to leave off ; it longs to know the final event through a natural curiofity that belongs ' to mankind. Voyages and travels and ac- counts of ftrange countries and ftrange ap- — pearances will affift in this work. This fort — of ftudy detains the mind by the perpetual. occurrence and expectation of fomething new, and that which may gratefully ftrike the im- — agination. “ OF SCIENCE, THE beft way to learn any {eience is to : begin with a regular fyftem, ora fhort and . plain {cheme of that {cience, well drawn up — IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND) PART Jy P. 212. THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. BF into @ narrow compafs; omitting the deep ox more abftrufe parts of it, and that alfo under the conduct and ifiruthion of fome fkilfol ‘teacher. Syftems are neceflary togive an en- tire and comprehenfive view of the. feveral » parts of any fcience, which may have a mutu-- al influence toward the explication or proof ef each other: whereas if a man deals atways and only in effays, and difcourfes on particu- lar parts ofa fcience, he will never obtain adif- tinét and juft idea of the whole, and may per- haps omit fome important part of it, after feven_ years reading of fech occafional dif- _ courfes, For this reafon, young ftudents fhould apply themfelves to their fyftems much more than pamphlets, ‘That man is never fit to judge of particular fubjects relating. to any fcience, who has never taken a furvey ce) the whole. ’Tis the remark of an ingenious. writer, fhould a barbarous Indian, who had_ never feen a palace or a fhip, view their feparate and. _ disjointed parts, and obferve the pillars, doors, windows, cornices and turrets of the one, or _ the prow and ftern, the ribs and matts, the - ropes and fhrowds, the fails and tackle of the other, he would be able to form but a very lame and dark idea of either of thofe excel- lent and ufeful inventions. In like manner, thole who contemplate only the fragments or pieces broken off from any {cience, difperfed ~ ip fhort unconneéted. difcourfes, and do net $8 rhe BEAUTIES OF DE. “WATTS. difcern their relation to each other, and how they may be adapted, and by their union pro- cure the delightful fymmetry of a regular {cheme, can never furvey an entire body of truth, but mouft always view it as deformed ~ and diftempered ; while their ideas, which * muft be ever indiftin& and often repugnant, — will lie in the brain unforted, and thrown to- — ' gether without order or coherence: fuch is © the knowledge of thofe men who soe or the {craps of {cience. | ie IMPROVEMENT OF THE MRD, PART Ty r. pe ee ~ REASON A PRINCIPAL SOURCE « OF RELIGION. sa : 3 HUMAN reafon i is the firtt ground, {pring of all human religion. Manis ob to religion becaufe he isa reafonable > creature i ‘Reafon dire€&ts and obliges us not o os fearch out and practice the will of Gea.s far as natural confcience will lead 1 us, but alfo to examine, receive, and obey, all the: tevela~ | tions which come frony God, where we are — placed within the reach of thei. proper: evi- dences. Wherein foever’ revelation gives us plain and certain rules for our condyd, reafon itfelf obliges us to fubmit and follow them: — Where the tules of duty are more obfeure, Hh: we are to ufe our reafon to find ies out, as “THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, 89 ' far as we can, by comparing one part of reve-- lation with another, and making juft and rea- - fonable- untesenicogicn the various citcum- ftances and connections of things. In thofe "parts or circumftances of religion where rev- elation is filent, there we are called to betake _ ourlelves to reafon again as our beft guide and ~ conductor. Seay FOUND, OF A CHRIST. CHURCH, P. 5. eee ADORATION OF THE ALMIGHTY. THE feveral atts of worfhip ork the light of nature directs us to pay to the great God, are fuch as thefe: To adore him with all humility, on the account of his glorious perfections, and his wonderful works of pow; er and wifdom ; to join together in prayer to, God for fuch bleffings as we ftand in need of, to confefs our fins, and afk the forgivenefs of. them, to acknowledge his mercies, and give thanks to his goodnefs ; and to fing with the voice to his honour and praife. _- _ The light of nature directs us alfo to feek continually a further acquaintance with the nature and will of that God whom we worth- ip, in order to practice our duty the better, and SS our Creates, and to betes: wee di 2) #. bad (90 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WaATTs. | way for the further inftrudtion. of thofe who | are ignorant of that religion, and to. come in- to their affemblies to be iimftructed : a : the exhortation of the people to fulfil their | duty to God and their neighbours. “And if there are any {pecial rites or ceremonies, fuch’ as belong to focial worfhip, the light of na= | ture tells us, that here'they ought to be Lent) formed. q And does not the New Teftament fet all 4 thefe matters before us fo plainly and. fre- | quently, with regard to chriftianity, that E © need not ftand to cite chapter and verfe, — where thefe things are practifed by the apof- — tles, and the primitive chriftians, m their aflemblies ? Here adoration, prayer, and — thank{givings, are offered up to God, but in the name of Jefus, as their only Mediager’s sa here their addreffes are made to God, with- one mind; and with one mouth, to the 7 of God, who is the God and Father of our Lord Jetus Chrift ;. here pfalms, and hymns,. and {piritual fongs, are fung to the honour of _ the Creator and Redeemer : here the word’ _ of God-is- preached: for the inftruétion of the ignorant or unbelievers, who come into the chriftian affemblies, that finners’ ‘or infidels. may be converted, and chriftians-edified, and: exhorted: to perfift in the faith, andi Improve in holinefs, 1 Cor. xiv. 23: Here the’ great. j ordinance of chriftian communion, the Lord’s | fupper, is celebrated, by Mie. ame - _ THE BEAUTIES, OF DR. WATTS. OL eeiving bread and wine,.and eating and drink- _ing in remembrance of their common Saviour, aad his death, 1 Cor. xi. 20, ce. As for the ‘other ordinance, viz. Baptifm, it being not fo properly an act of public or focial religion, Ido not find it is any where required to be: “done in public ; and though it might be ren-’ dered more extenfively ufeful by that means: for fome purpofes, yet it may be performed: in private houfes; or in-retired places, as it was ‘in the primitive ages. = RATIONAL FOUND. OF A CHRIST. CHURCH P. 23... THAT PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE SUP- PORT OF THE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. THOUGH chriftian minifters fhould be fupported in temporal things, that they may not labour under perpetual cares, and daily: anxieties, how to get bread and raiment for themfelvés and their families, and that they may maintain their properauthority in preach- ing, reproving and exhorting, and Jive above the fear or fhame that may arife from pover- ty and difhonourable dependences, yet: there is no rule nor example in fcripture that fhould saife them fo far above the people in riches or grandeur,.as to become the lords of God’s _ hetitage, or tempt them to affume fovereign _ dominion over theconfcience, faith or practife, RATIOMAL FOUND. OF A CHIRST. CHUBSH P. 49. ’ 92 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. — « cguicl fy oti hie iat sat aaa | ‘THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN MINISTERS. a a‘) @ PA ARE A Pee aie ° iy Sel -. THE rule and government which iscom- ~ mitted to ordinary minifters in the church, | fo far as I can underftand it, feems to confift | in thefe things following : viz. In going be- | fore the people, and leadmg the feveral parts — of their worihip, and becoming their exam- ~ ple in every duty ; in teaching them the prin- | ciples and rules of their religion ; the knowl- © edge, profeflion, and praétice of thofe doc- | trines and duties, that worfhip and order, — which reafon and natural religion diétate, and — that which Chrift himfelf has revealed, fuper- added, and eftablifhed in bis word: it con- | fifts in exhorting, perfuading, and charging | the hearers with tolemnity im the mame and | authority of Chrift, to comply therewith : in inftructing the people how toapply thefegen> . eral principles and rules to particular cafes — and occurrences, and giving them their bef, advice ; in prefiding in their affemblies, and - - particularly as to the admiffionandiexclufion ~ of members : it confifts im watching overthe flock ;.in guarding then. againft. errors and. | dangers ; in admonifhing, and warning, and > reproving, with. all gravity and authority, thote who neglect or oppofe’ the rules of — Chrift. But I cannot find where our blefled Lord has given them any power, or pretence ae ar ; a THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 93 ‘of power to impofe on confcience any fuch ‘advices of their own, which neither reafon Nor revelation impofe ; nvuch lels to “impofe any of their own inventions of new doctrines, ‘or duties ; or fo much as their own peculiar explications of the words of Chrift, by their own authority. When our Saviour gaye commiffion to his difciples, or his apottles, to © preach the gofpel to all nations,” it was in this manner: “ Go teach them to obferve” {not whatfoever’ you fhall command, but) “‘ whatfoever I have commanded you,” Majt. SSVI. '- RATIONAL FOUND. OF A CuatsT. CHURCH P. Go. * ee “RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. ea : j f : A CHRISTIAN church allows all its ‘members the moft perfect liberty of men and chriftians. It is inconfiftent with perfecution for con{cience fake : for it leaves all civil re- wards and punifhments to’ kingdoms, and ftates, and the governors of this world.- It pretends to no power over confcience, to com-. pel men: to obedience } no-préfons, no axes, fire, nor fword. It gives its minifters power and authority to command nothing but what is found in the bible. ys IONS Y, FOUND. OF ng CHRIST. CHURCH, Pp. Fat & ; < “* 94 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. © If any perfon fins fo grofily agai ainft the plais | tules of the gofpel, or the aes of God-or Chrift, as to appear to renounce the charac. ters of a chriftian, the church hath power on- ly to renounce fuch a perfon, and « difclaim: all chriftian fellowfhip with-him, and to ura th him into the world, which is the kingdom ¢ of Satan, till he repent : But they have no au- thority to hurt his life or limbs ; to. touch ; hs hair of his head, nor a penny of his moneys, by way of punithment. ‘ pes RATIONAL FOUNDATION OF A CHRISTIAN ibe P. oo ency, -be glad to fpy a truth, and to fubmit toit, ay it appre on the oppofite, = bang “208. ‘ ie + > A, RO Te eet s THE BEAUTIESOF DR. WATTS. 97 q : ea it ; Y - Laiess0T. . i- 5% i oTHE INFLUENCE: OF custom, og TE a a3 } yo. ' re : “SUPPOSE + we have freed whieaed bn he younger prejudices of our education, yet” we are in danger of having dur mind turned © nde frony' truth ‘by the influence ' of ge neral - cuftent. © Our opinion of heats and’ drinks, ° of garments ‘and-forms “of Yalutation, ‘are in- fluenced more by cuftom,. than‘ by the’ eye,” the eat; or the tafte. Cuttom prevails even | over ferle itfelf} ‘aad therefore no‘wonder if it ° prevail everteafén'too. “What is it but cuf- tol! "that Yerders many of the mixtures of ? food and “(wiices dé sieht “in Batain,, which would be aulkward and: aduebie to the in- habitants of China, and indeed ‘were naufeous » to usSwhel Wwe firft tafted then?’ What but” fatins Ses lees make thofe flutations | solite i a t COV¥, Ww ce an england 3 one sca he’ 0 iter! nationy; But°is ite Wha judse thus ourfelves’ 5’ anstl’ that fancied poli iets" ou tentimes more ‘owing to'ciftom ‘thatt reafon. Whi are the’ foris of dtit pr fent’ saline 3, solvated! beAveifal, fa HUE’ thins of out’! anceftors the matter of {coff'#fid vontempr,” ” which ‘int tif days were all decent and gen- tecl? It is cuftom that forms our opinion of © dtels, and Paes us by degrees to tholg 98 THE.BEAUTIES OF DR. aie. habits which at firft feemed very odd and monftrous. It muft be granted, there ave fome garments and habits;which have a nat-. ural congruity or incongruity, modefty or im-_ modefty, gaudery or gravity ; though for the moft part. there is but. little. reafon in thefe affairs ; but what little there is of. reafon, or natural decency, cuftom triumphs over it all... It is almoft impoffible to pe: riuade a ‘young lady that.any thing can Le decent which is. out of fafhion. The methods of our education are eovern-| ed by cuftom. It is cuftom, and not Teafon, that fends every boy to learn the Roman po- ets, and begin a little SEARORED with | Greek,. before he is bound. apprentice to a foap-boiler or a leather-feller. Atis cuftom _alone that teaches us Latin by. the Tule ofa” Latin Grammar ; a tedious andabfurd meth- od! And what is it but cuftom that ha ha ’ aft centuries confined the bri genir al of the hi iret rane in: ag le worl to.the bufinefs Te the needle only, and fecluc ed them moft unmercifully from the pleat- q _ ures of knowledge, and, the divine improve be a ‘ments of reafon. But, we begin to to. brea _thele chains, and seafon begin slic education. of Tautho» yt 20 eres alt pal oh ite 9 oral HRY at Sic To etalolass fern gy at ¢ 3 Y ogo aa eae LIT. teak, wd HE BEAUTIESOF DR. WATTS. 99 7 ABSURDITY OF HEREDITARY PREJUDICES EXPOSED. SOME, perfons believe every thing that their kindred, their parents, and their tutors believe. The veneration and the love which they have for their anceftors, incline them to - fwallow down all their opinions at once, with- ‘out'examining what truth or falfliood there is in them. ‘Men take their ‘principles by in- héritence, and defend them as they would their eftates, becaufe they are born heirs to. them. I freely-grant, that parents are ap- pointed by God and nature to teach us all the fentiments and practifes of our younger years ; and happy are thofe whofe parents - lead them into the paths of wifdom and truth. ~ ¥Pgrant further, that when perfons. come to years of difcretion, and judge for themielves, they ought to examine the opinions of their parents, with the greate{t modefty, and with an humble deference to their fuperior charac- ter ; they ought, in matters perfectly dubious, to give the preference to their parentsadvice, _ and always to pay them the firft refpect, nor . ~ ever depart from their opinions and practifes, till reafon and confcience make it neceflary. But after_all;.it is poffible; that parents »may be miftaken, and therefore reafon and {erip- ture ought to be our final rules of determin- ation in matters that relate to this world; and - that which is to come. LOGIC, P. 222. -490 THE TANTS ANE ‘ font eM is a eden OPPOSITE DUTIES. The on9G oft 2 i “WHERE two Fe fh qe ay. pofition. to each other, Bi prac- rte both, the lefs muft give way to. the great- ‘er, and the omiffion of the lefs is not finful. So ceremonial laws, give parece maa: iva wal have IBY Tui not, 4h}, st ab mse nate areas - Sey eer 4 6% ¢ AMBENCE FROM GOD, wile: +3 “OUR ain. oi: Orth, aaa eqqacd Bais} ele, _ MY Gai: my Maker, E have:cailed “i my all- fatisfying® portion, and niv eternal; When I contemplate thee, Titand amvZ thy grandeur ; thy wifdom, thy power, fuinels of bleffing, wrap my foul'up in uhment:and devout filence.'* In ide! ap moment my foul cries out,” what ate creas ‘ when compared ‘with thee; but miei of being, and faint’ reflections of th beauty? “And yet (ftupid as Pan - dofe my. fight ot God, and ftand gazing thy creatures ‘all’ the day, as if beauty ae light were theirstin’ the ‘original. tet ie » What are’ théyrall,) Omy God, bu Pen cifterns.:that | can give no relief tora.th Gs >. he gonlets thou fupply* them ‘with’ tivulets ir Bde BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. AO from: on high > And yet we croud about. thefe. cifterns, and are attached to them, as- though they were the unfailing fprings and. “fountains of our bleffednefs. Every breath “we draw is a new and unmerited gift from. Pi aes? ; God our life and the length of our. _ days ; and yet we are contented to fpead that. lite’ fat from heaven and from God, and to. _ dwell afar off from him, amidit the regions of _ mortality and death : we are ever orovelli ing inthis land of graves, as though immortal _bleffings were to bedrawn from the cleds of it. Our real and ‘eternal intereft depends more. ‘oh thy fingle favour, than on the united Padendthip: of the whole creation ; and yet,’ - foolifh wanderers that we are |. We abient _ ourfelves from our God, and rove far and wide a to feek intérefts and friendthips, among crea- - tures whofe character is weaknefs, v ‘anity, and - - difappointing vexation. How fond ate we. _of a word or a look from a worm in a high ftation? How do we carefs. them and court. their love, at the expence of virtue and truth, and the favour of God our maker? And yet.) “they are nothing. without God, but he is our | all without their leave. Should my father and my mother, and eve ery mortal friend forfake me, and every good angel take his flight ; fhould thefe heavens. _and this earth, with all their innumerable in- ; habitants difappear at once, and vanith into” ) a 4 4 , bye 4 tle 102 THE BEAUTIES OF DR, b. WATTS. their firft nothing ; thy Pigeues with me is_ all-fufficient, thy band would fupport-my be- ing, and thy love would furnifh out an eter-— nity of life and coeval happinels. Why then > do I tie myfelf fo faft to my mortal friends, ; as though my feparation from them were cer- tain mifery? Why do I Jean upon creatures with my whole weight,’ as kins i nothing elfe could fupport me ? ' Oh my God ! Iam cdemmalied that I. se more affairs, and of far higher importance, to tranfact with thee, than with all thy creatures, and yet I am ever chattering with” ‘thy. crea- tures, and fay little to my God; or at beft give him a morning or an evening {alutation,. and perhaps too with indolenge and formal- ity. Whom have I in heaven or on earth but thee, that can fupply all my wants, and fill up all the vacancies of my heart? And yet how are my thoughts and hours bufily spires in queft of fatisfation among the fhining fnares, or at beft among the flattering i imper~ tinencies of the world ; though every new ex-: ‘periment fhews me they are all unfatisfying ? - If I happen to find any thing here below made. a channel to convey fome bleffing to me from thy hand, how prone am I to. make an idol of it, and Sig it in the room of my Bs o sus Pani while I dwell in. this Page : id THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, 103 i - ch and blood. Let. medicines and phyfi- _ cians pronounce defpair and death upon me, _ a word of thine can fhut the. mouth-of the grave, can renew the vigor and bloom of youth, and repair the decays of nature. If thou withhold thy vital influence, my flefh: - languifhes and expires even among the luxu-_ rious provifions of the table, and the recipes. — ef the learned ; and it is thou only can’ft — provide me a blifsful habitation, when. this. " cottage is fallen to the ground. Father, inio thy hand. I commend my fpirit, when it is dif- lodged from this.mortal tabernacle ; and-why fhould I not keep my {pirit ever near. thee, - fince every moment I am liable to be turned | ' - out of this dwelling, and fent a naked ftran- » ger into. the unknown world of fpirits ? _It is but a few days and nights more that - I can have to do with fun, moon and ftars ; a little time will finifh all my commerce with this vifible world ; but I have affairs of infi- nite and everlafting moment to tranfa& with the great God. It is before thy tribunal I miuit ftand as the final judge of all my con- duct, from whofe decifive fentence. there is: no appeal ; and yet how fond am I, and wretchedly folicitous, to approve myfelf rather to creatures, whofe opinion and fentence is, but empty air. It is by thy judgment that I niuft ftand or fall forever ; the words of thy lips will be my eternal blifs, or my everlafting_ , _- Woe ; why then fhould J, a little infect, or 1o4' THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. - Wade Weg See “ : _ atom of being; be concefned about the files — or frowns'/of my’ fellow-infé&ts, my equal at- oms ?« Can‘all their ‘applatfes, or their re- proaches, weigh a grain in the diviné balance, ~ that facred and Tl aa ao tice, in. which all my a¢tions and my foul it-— felf mutt be iia > Penah ie Bedbihes . above arid below frown’ and {cowl upon me ; if my Creator‘ fmile, I’ am’ happy ; nor can’ all their frownings diminith my complete joy. Forgive, gracious God, forgive the paft~ follies ‘and ‘wanderings ofa finful worm, from thee the higheft ‘and the ‘beft of Beings. 2 - am"évert-amazed’at'my own ftupidity, that I could ‘live {o much abfent from thee, when - my eternal all depends upon thee. 6 Y And’ bow chitcly Bre excufable is my forgetfulnels of my God,’ finée he“has fent % ed*to conver{e’ THE BEAUTIES @F DR.WATTS. 105. member that I have.infinitely more to'do with J cau and-thus.fhorten ‘my; tale and ¢ traftick with)them, that I may- have leif- ure. ae converfe the longer) with-thee: Let me fee thee in every. thing,; let me read thy — name ,¢yery awherel;. founds, fhapes; colours, motions, and all vifible things, let them all. teach; ;mejan. invifible Gods; Let. creatures be hing to me, but as the-books ;which thon - ft lent.me, to- inftraa . mein the, leffons..6f Pe poet iyehate anid piahios odors ails let See ‘Trai pees Aesptiiss vii ork sand thy wor - the condelcending:. methods ‘of> thiy- pees providence, till I. am loofened and wean- Aue all, things below God.5 and then give a glorious. difmiffion 1 tO that intelleciuat and blufsful, world, wherein a more,immedit ite manner, I fhalh fee. God, and where-God unfelt, suithe feaiile, achwowledged dike ‘of pots gut pay q ry a 33 Sy x sh 3fii-bas ae so 26 : 1 7 e:HOTIE 3" ‘ ia) ple einige — si se bo 8 Ue ray . [DASE THOVONTS) 2, 259 * ‘iris is ee dian “hard to to peat ‘ithe BB fome, ne le prejudice: and) gaod ; a a ‘ 166 | THE weer OF DRAPES, ‘liking to the o “aré we ‘to our ‘eur favour! to’ the caufe we'he ; vand for no other reafon than ‘Betale we ef- ‘puting-fake, yet ifa plaufible and *fmiling ‘guchent for it occtirs’ in out hafty thoughts, ‘brain, and ‘be‘almoft tm love with aeogiich ‘for the fake of the ‘argument ? 1 efs there are rio fuch formal reafonings in md as ‘thefe 5: yet we: ‘are- in felves : Our paftion firtt thinks" fuch a happy argument eeu ‘tations before my tutor} And, for this ré: - pleafing ambition of victory, inion we'defend. ‘Sauer tei vive yes, in bier raterftate, that felf-love too eafily'¢r poufed it. Though wevhad fio kindnefs be- fore for an opinion that we maintai for dif 2 ‘ar= how prone are we 'to hug the'creature ¢ of ‘efteeny any thing’ that’ srotee ‘ fhould be on the faife fide, arid finuation perfuades’ the: judgment true. How otten have F experienc fallacies working within me’ in verhal Lhave no-great efteen of the method of 61 academical | difputes, where the youn g fophi tefs are obliged to oppofe ctr by the beft arguments they can find, and the tutor defends it and affifts the refpondent. — There is a certain | wantonnefs of wit, epee a r works in a young warm fpirit, much ftronger “ace a defire of truth. There isa ftrange ‘delight _ in baffling the refpondent, and oe - THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 107: fenfibly, if we can put the prefident toa puz- gle ora ftand. The argument which 1s fo fuccefSful, ‘relifhes better‘on the kps of the young opponent, and he begins to think that atis folid and unan{werable ; ‘* Surely my tu- “ tor’sopinion,can hardly be true; and though | “<].thought I was put on the defence of a falfe. * doétrine, yet fince I have found fo good an- ** aroument for it, I can hardly believe it * falfe.”’ Then-his invention works on to firengthen his fufpicion, and at laft he firmly believes the opinion he fought for. . Otten hhaye I been in danger of fuch delufions as. thefe, and feel myfelf too ready to fubmit_to them now. Even a clofet, and retirement, nd our cooleftuneditations, are liable to thefe fet fophiftries. Upon the firft fight ofan - objection againft our arguments, our thoughts ‘- are ftrangely hurried away to ranfac the brain ° for a reply, and we torture our invention to — make our fide have the laft word, before we call in cool. judgment calmly to decide the - difference 3 and thus from a hot defence of Out own reafonings, we unimaginably flide into a cordial defence of the caufe. =a} By _MISCEL, THOUGHTS, &. 390, cain in tees ay motives -a rous “and powerful rsh And “if, the: motives to’ reli realoning powers: ‘caf’ pro] fufficient to’ ‘equal, ‘orrather temptations to vice and-“‘impi the balance of » rea(on weighty, than the priti Chriftianity! mutt ben cient, becauleywith’ an dance; ‘they’ out-weigh fleth and fin; when: ‘put! lance of’ reafon.)) > 1) Wnd'on ‘the aa hands the: gofpel; numerous Jana! p ‘ are; prove | ineffeAtak te hear: them;furely the ag ah fon, which are much ’f A very.cinfufficient. in compat ‘Fevelation, PAY oo TOC se ce eB OEY THE EEATIES OF DR. WATTS. 190 ~ Ys a EASON “ALONE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ‘PROCURE 7 9 aE RHE WISDOM AND BLESSEDNESS, : 4 mI Rib debt eet 5 (2 av. wh oi yas IF el hae 4 tach a tesotand Bie ‘ulative fafficiency,” to guide and eae ae nankind to happinefs in a. way of feligion,1 here i pe yery | few Hal b rea who were never . picket! sell mae. and~ Puen and, “th | en ‘and the oe and affil ances, dre | inently ie é: found in the. A of phrift. 1 4 fii 4 ‘ } STRENGTH ANP, venmcnss OF HYM. REASON, P 14 4 ee ghiB. 2! WETHIR A OR ls ¥ ey pF Nie Garces Va Ak aateeae Mane (ieee OMS elt t ~ THAT is detent; “wane is ragheie % to. ele Ss, LOGIC, Pa 263. oe ik ort ee 7 2 ur flates ‘condition or ‘eitcumflances, whe- her if ve in-behiaviowr, difcourfe, or action, 110 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTs. or “ + 4 i? e's A se GRADUAL PROGRESS OF THE cosPat. she THIS gofpel was not t revealed. at once in its full glory to mankind. There haye been feveral editions of it, or gradual difcoveries of this grace in all the former ages of the Id Bs foon as ever Adam had finned, ‘and ruined himielf and his pofterity too, by lay- ing the foundation of their fin An mifery, it pleafed God to publith this his got 1 by the promife of a Saviour, whe. ‘our mo- ther Eve, that ‘ her i soul bruife the *‘ head of the ferpent” thar had deceived her. Gen. iii. 15. This, by our divines, i is generally called the firft gofpel; fe modern language of the New Ti fignifies, that * Jefus Chrift fhould come in- ** to this world to deftroy the ob cs the *« devil.” Fobn ii. 8. Doubtle{s Noah, the fecond father, ’ man- kind, had fome fisher ifcoveriat! ce to him, when the rainbow was appointed as the - feal of a gracious covenant betwixt God and man : for the very promife of the continuance of the comfortable feafons of the year, being given to man in a way of mercy, doimply that God would not. be irrecon Ee cabints his fallen creatures. Nor can we reafonably fuppofe but that Adam and Noah, and, ee pe Sere ae ~ ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, ITY. | thofe moft ancient Pattiarchs, had larger ex — “plications and comments of the firft promife | given them than Mofes has recorded. ! ~ ‘The gofpel was renewed by revelations made ‘to Abraham, when the Meffiah,-the Saviour, was promifed to {pring out of his family: In thy feed’ fhall all nations of the earth be ‘bleffed.” Which promife is expre(sly called the gofpel. Ga/. 11. 8. There was alfo a type or pattern of our jufticfiation by faith in the way of the gofpel, when ‘* Abraham believed God” in his promifes, &c. “it was impu- _ © ted to him for righteoufnefs.” Rom. v. 3. Mofes hada much larger difcovery.’ of the grace and mercy of God toward finful man made to him, and to the Jews by itm, than all the patriarchs put together: and this was _ not only done in the types, and figures, and ceremonies, not only in altars, facrifices, wafli- ings, {prinklings, purifications, and in their redemption from Egypt, their miraculous falvations in the wilderneis, and their fafe con- duc to Canaan, the land of promifed refl : -but he had many literal and exprefs’ revela- tions of pardoning and fanctifying grace, which are fcattered up and down in the five books which he wrote, and which he gave to the ehildren of Ifrael to direct their religion, This is alfo-called the gofpel, Hed. iv. 2. “ To * them was the gofpel preached as well as. “unto us,” as thofé words ought to be tranf= lated. This fame gofpel was afterwards cor.- 7 + S - a) 4 » fe ea ee ie ea hy 2 a> . ae } arte Ae -* Pie, see: ’ ; Ei (212 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. | firmed, illuftrated and enlarged by fuccee i browns in the feveral Mee toe ‘chur 7. revat tae g EY TOS PLY - i ee et cre go i - But “ God, who at fundry fi ne » and in * divers manners {poke” this go eee “fathers by the prophets, has in thefe latte “days” poblined eat Fa aa Oe er manner, ‘ by his Son, efus,” t e promif- éd Saviour. Heb. i. 1. And fince the death and refurrection of Ghrilt, the apoftles being jent by their exalted Lord, have given yet plainer and fuller declarations of this gofpel to the children .ofsmen. .. . D5 a ae. And upon. this account it Pier eah sie called the golpel of Chrift, not only becaufe the offices and grace of Chnft run through the whole of it, but alfo becaule the cleareft “difcoveries of it are made to the world by Chrift, and "by his meflengcrs the apc tes. nt Now from this laft and fullett revel ation of it in the New Teftament, we may derive a fuller and more perfect knowledge of the gof- pel than all the former ages could attain. _ Efereby we learn that the gotpelis a * prom-. “ ife of falvation from fin and hell, by the. « death, righteoufnels, and grace ‘of our Lord ; - Jefus Chrift, to every one Hea ae - willing to accept of it by coming to shrift, “or trufting in him ;” and it includes alfo « the promifed aid of the Holy Spirit to thofe «¢ who feek it, to enable them torreceive this. “ falvation, and to fit them for the final pol ef ere wee " ag “ah > “ we P we eee is. ee kK THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 113 - * feffion of the promifed glory.” It includes _alfo the “¢ revelationof the future refurrec- ‘tion, and lait judgment, and eterna] life.” - To this end did the ‘* Son of God come into ~ “the world, that whofoever beheves on hint *¢fhould not perifh, but have everlafting “life.” John in. 16. ne ‘ ORTHODOXY AND CHRISTIANITY, P, 2, ‘ <- THE GREAT DESIGN OF OUR SAVIOUR’S MINISTRY. _ THE great defign of our, Saviour in his. public appearance and minifiry_ upon earth, was to prove bimfelf to wear he trae charac- ters of the Meffiah, to deliver the Jews from many falfe expofitions and glofies which the Scribes and Pharifees of that day had ‘given to feveral parts of {cripture, to Jead the world’ fo a conviction of their fins, and thereby pre- pare them to receive the doctrine of falvation with more zéaband defire ; whereas the falva-- tion itfelf, and. the manner whereby it was accomplifhed, was but brieHy mentioned in. fome few texts, and the reft was left to be ex-- plained by his apoffles. Pee ORTHODOXY. AND CHRISTIANITY, .P..28.- ie ch wea ce : (es, des 7 é4A8 wise 4 ; A eth oh. Mt eeeee is Ect j ESBo MOK >.’ . - : ~ , a fae a 4,2, > g Sevbe ss: =a : ti4 THE BEAUTIES OF DR..WATTS. ; si estas mesa Cee eH ie th, ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO. PREACHING. abecelh a GOSPEL. ren re wa Some may think it the duty and: bufinefs. of the day ‘to temporize,. and by preaching the gofpel a little. more conformably to natu- ral religion, in a mere rational or legal form,. to bring it down as near as may be to their fcheme, that we may gain them to hear and approve it, or at. leaft that we may not offend: them. But I anv rather of opinion, that we fhould in fuch a-day ftand up for the defence: ef the gofpel in the full glory of its moft im- portant doctrines, and in the full freedom of — its grace ; that we fhould preach it in its di-- vineft and moft evangelical form, that the crofs of Chrift, by the promifed power of the Spirit, may vanquifh the vain reafonings of: men, and that this defpifed doctrine, triumph- ing in the converfion of fouls, may confound: the wife and the mighty, and filence the dif puters of this world. This was the bold and: glorious method St. Paul toak at Corinth, where: learning and’ reafon and~ ilofophy. flourifhed in pride; but they yie feve trophies of victory to the preaching of the~ crofs.. Paul could ufe the ** wifdom of words’”* whenever he: bad-occafion for it; and had the “ excellency of fpeech” at command when: he pleafed : this appess 3 in feveral pee a ie, i Pin os wpe gay P vy Me THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 1g . | his writings ; yet in his fermons at Corinth, _ he difclaimed it all,.and “ determined to know . “nothing among them but Chrift, and him * crucified.” 5 Cor. it. 2. ORTHODOXY AND CHRISTIANITY, P, 97- ~ . : 7 ’ ORTHODOX AND CHRISTIANITY. — -LET our converfation be fuch, as becomes. the gofpel in every form of it, whether abfo- “flute or conditional. Let our clofe walking - with God be exemplary and inftructive, that men may fee our religion as well as hear it, and all may. confefs that while we preach the, gofpel, we are zealous obfervers of the law. Let us maintain-upon our own hearts a {weet. and. honourable fenfé of the riches of free grace in Chrift, together with a tender fenfe. of the evil of fin, and a lively delight in holi- nefs, that the daily experience of our own, fouls, and’ our inward chriftianity which is. taught us, and wrought in us, by the fpirit of God, ny inflrud us how.to preach to oth- &IS.. ORTHODOXY AND CHRISTSANITY, P. 99) for valuable ends and purpofes i i his : “+ Sie: a1 6 THE DEAUTIES OF DRe WATTS. Hi , ae te d + .s ate Sata 1 See in org -BHE EXPEDIENCY OF ENGAGING | THE Ca NS OF THE LOWER CLASSES OF ) ‘MANKIND. GOD defi ocd ax to ‘dwell here ty patti 2 wretched world, and I grant it is no {mall part of our ftate of trial ; but to alleviate our un-_ happine(s, he has- mingled i in the mafs of man- kind fome finer veins, fome more intellectual. and unprejudiced {pirits, in whofe converfa- tion we may find fuitable delight, and pleaf— ures worthy of the rational nature... Why thould not we fuppofe there’ are ‘many other minds as happily turned as our. own, and of fupetior fize, and more divine temper > Alt men have not been bleffed: with our advanta- ges, yet their native felicity. of thought may: tranicend ours. And: as for the relt, God b has- ordained it our duty to affociate with’ ‘them ri- dence, which regard both them an nae Itis. our bufinefs to.endeavour to. perfi them to lay afide their miftaken notions, to. Temove all the biaffes of error, from* their r judgment, to quench their indignation: againft men of different opinions, and to enlarge theirs narrow | fouls, though we find it a difficult: work. T have often feen what you complain of, and. have been réady to conclude that when. “we. have to do with vulgar fouls, we fhould net - tavifh away our labour to convince ttem oh ‘at "innocent miftakes in matters of fmall impor- , stante, but only lay out our thoughts to rec- » tify-their. notions in things that tegard their _ prefent or future welfare. And when we re- flect, how very impotent, and low aré'the ca- -pacities of fome ignorant creatutes that:eafes hhonefily, make ufe-of; this.» 1fiwe: find! that laifeCtion isthe-great gate of entrance into the - gadgments.of the multitude, and reafon if but like the back-door, or fome meaner avenue, _ and feldom opened to let in a doGrine ; 3 may - we not thence infer, that, the.-fofter, arts of winning upon men, are tobe ftudied by us as. well as hard arguments. ) MISCEL, THOUGHTS, F» 195. ee | THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. (117 % 118 THE sings psa saad a Pi . 5 AB Hi re ea: ered . erred) me BAe la iy Ra BERTY. oF PRAYER aes Rae Gy vay, wea! eo a INDEED i in the lene teens; there is no ~need. of binding ourfelves to a whe page together, as it ftands in the book. In 3 name of God, let us ftand fattin our chriftian” liberty, and maintain a jutt freedom of foul in our addreffes to heaven; let us change, enlarge, ‘or contraét, let us aaa" or omit, ac- -cording to our- peculiar fentiments, or our — frame of {pirit. Mr, Jenks, a pious: divine of the Church of England, has written. -an excellent treatife on the Tiberty of | Pr: | which I dare recommend toevery fort of read- er. Butwhen we find thetemper,thewantsand the withes of our. hearts fo happily exprefled in the words of the compofer,as that we know -not how to frame.other-words fo fuitable and fo expreflive of our own prefent ftate and’ café, why fhould we not addrefs our God and: our. ‘Saviour in this borrowed: language > rE confefs indeed, when long euftom has induced © a fort of flatnefs into thefe founds; how hap- pily foever the.words might be at firft chofen, then perhaps we fhall want fomething new and various to keep. nature awake to the de- votion.. Or if we ftill confine ourfelv te tirely to the forms we réad, and forbid our fpirits to exert their own pious fentime nts, we turn thefe engines of holy pe THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 119 clogs and fetters. But when chriftians make» 3 prudent ufe of them, they have frequently experienced unknown advantage and delight. A dull and heavy hour in the clofet has been - relieved by the ufe of fuch- devout compo. _ ures of mingled meditation and prayer ; and. many a dry and barren heart has been enabled to. offer up the firft fruits of a {weet facrifice to God in the words of another man. The fire of devotion has been kindled-by the help of fome ferious and pathetic forms, and the fpirit of the worfhipper, which has been ftrait- ened and bound up in itfelf, has found a blef- fed releafe by the pen of fome: pious writer. — The wings of the foul have been firft expand- ed toward God and heaven by fome happy turn of fervent and holy language ; fhe has been lifted up by this affiftance above. the. earth and mortality ; then fhe has given her- » felf a more unconfined and various flight in the upper regions, fhe has traverfed the heav- enly world, fhe has felt herfelf within the cir- ~~ cle of divine attraction, and has dwelt an hour with God. _- : ; MISCEL. THOUGHTS; P. 207. (SS ee ee RULE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE REASONING ad, FACULTIES, © . | _ACCUSTOM yourfelves to clear and dit. tinct ideas, to evident propofitions, to ftrong 190! THE READ TH#s Or°DRE WATTS” and convincing arguments. > ¢ onve with thofé men, and ‘thofe books, paits of learning, where you meet greateft Clearnet of thought, “an reafonin®, >’ The niathe: i fete’ Ney ani ee d chanics; abound with th ‘ady tases : 2 if thére were nothing valuable in ufes of hudian life; yet the ve parts of this fort of leatning are ftudy $ for by perpetual examy 3 us ‘to'coneéive with clearnefs; to conned ideas and “propofitions in’ 4 train of depe encé,; to reafon with ‘ftren, th and demo tion; and’to ‘diftinguifi si nae “an falfliood. °' Something of thefetciences Thoulc be sftudied by “every ‘man’ who'pretends learning, and that, as Mr.’ Zo _ not fo muchas to make usma Re -iderice’ of ‘perception and forte of reafoni empties helt iss that the mind may be {oon offended with ob-" {curity ‘and confufion ; then we fhall, as it were, naturally and with eafe reftrain—ou minds from rafh judgment, before we attain juft evidence of the propofition whic AS. fered to us; and we {hall with the fame eafe, and, as it were, naturally feize and 4 pe truth that is propofed ‘ae i { oe chee. nib abit eee . DHE BEAUTIES QF DR. WATTS. © 221 _ This habit of conceiving clearly, of jadg- . ing juftly, and of reafoning well, is pot to be: attained merely by the happine(s of conftitu- tion, the brightneis of genius, the beft natu- tal parts, or the beft collection of Logical pre- cepts : it is cuftom and practice that-muft form this habit. We muft apply ourfelves to it till we perform all this readily, and w.th- out reflecting on rules. A coherent thinker, and a {trict reafoner, is not to be made at once by a fet oftrules, any more-than 4 good painter or mufician may be formed extempore by an excellent lecture’ on mufic or painting. it is of infinite importance therefore in out younger years to be taught both the value. and’ the practice of conceiving clearly and reafoning tight : for when wé are grown up to the middle of life, or paft it, it is no won- _ der we fhould not learn good reafoning, any more than that an ignorant clown fhould not, be able to learn fine language, dancing, or courtly behaviour, when his ruftic airs have _ srown up with him till the age of forty. ~ For want of this cate, fome perfons of rank and education dwell’all their days among ob- [cure ideas ; they conceive and judge always in confufion, they take weak arguments for Jemonftration, they-are’ led away with the lifuifes and fhadowsof truth. Now if fuch fons happen to have a bright imagination, » volubility of ‘fpeech,: and copioufnefs of i peas 1) ; “naa THE azavries oF DR Ww. TTS language, they not on upon their own ui a ftamp the image of their their neighbours a Tors abroad. iy a ve ; aio a oh a3 ede i ADVICE ON THE. SUBJECT OF ey Wise iy ee reg ss Unie ree a ts BE not fo,folicitous about the number the weight of your argunients, -efpec ally i proving any propofition that ee or atu ral certainty, or of complete Many times we do ouenaeke ling, upon trifling, arguments. our hearers with uncertainties, by r the number of feeble reafoning ngs, D mention thofe which are 1 more fu soneliiire, and convincing. wax BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 125 | himfelf to a confiderable eftate. He lived | with honour in the world, and gave a luftre to the religion which he profefied ; and after a, long life of piety and ufefulnefs, he died with: | a facred compofure of foul, under the influ- | ences of the chriftian hope. Same of his | neighbours wondered at his felicity in this. world, joined with fo much innocence, and | fuch fevere virtue.. But after his death this paper was found in his clofet, which was drawn |.up by his kinfman in holy orders, and was - fuppofed to have a large fhare in procuring ~ his happinefs. Cs a TO A YOUNG MANS Be od KINSMAN, I prefume you. trae to be happy here; and hereafter ; you know there are a thoufand difficulties which attend this. - purfuit ; fome of them perhaps you forefee,. but there are multitudes which you could never think of. Never truft therefore to your own underftanding in the things of this world, - where.you can have the advice of a wile and faithful friend ; nor dare venture the more _ important concerns of your foul, and your ~ . eternal interefts in the world to come, upon: sstibe mere light of nature, and the dictates of Ek. 2. a es ae ; 126" THE suet agin your own reafon; fince the Sod, and “the advice of heaven, lies’ in’ yout hands. Vain and thoughtlefs indeed are thofe’ children of pride, who choofe to turn Heath-— ens in the midft of Great-Britain ; who’ live upon the mere ‘religion of nature’and their own ftock, when they ‘have been trained: ‘up among all the {uperior ‘advantages of chrii~ tianity, and the bleflings of divine revelation « and grace. ee Il. Whatfoever your civduinfanees! may be in this world, {till value: your bible as your ~ beft treafure ; and whatfoever be your em- ployment here, ftill look upon religion as your beft bufinefs. Your bible contains. eternal life in it, and all the riches of. the: upper” world ; and religion is the only way to be-_ come a pofleffor of thems) > I. To dire&t your carriage @waids.God, converte particularly with the book of Pfalms ;, David was.a man of fincere and eminent de-- votion. To behave aright among mer, ac- quaint yourfelf with the whole book of Prov- erbs : Solomon was a man of large experience and wifdom. And to perfeét your direétions in both thefe, read the Gofpels : and the Epif- tles ; you will find the beft of tules and the belt of examples there, and thofe’ more im- mainly fuited to the chriftian life.” “EV: Asa man, maintain ftriét :Pinevaiee aid fobriety, by a wife government Of yout’ appetites and paffions >-asa sieaalss ae THE BEAUTIES) OF DR. WATTS: tat ge “ence and hadae all around. you’ tobe’ your friends,’ by a temper and carriage made. ‘up: of prudence and goodnefs 5 and let the poor | have a certain fhare in all your yearly: profits.’ » As a trader, keep that golden fenntence of our _ Saviour’s ever before you, ‘““Whatfoever you , — - would that «men fhould do unto: ii do: you alfo unto them.” ~V. While you make the precepts. of fcrip~ : ture the conftant rule of your duty,youi may: | with courage reft upon the promifes of {crip-- ture as the fprings of your encouragement. | All-divine affiftances and divine recompences. are contained in them. The fpirit of light and grace is promifed to affift them that afk it. Heaven and glory are promifed to reward.’ _ the faithful and the obedient. VI. In every affair of life, begin with God.. - Confult him in every thing that concerns you. ~ View him as the author of all your bleffings, and all your: hopes, as your befl friend, and » your eternal portion,, Meditate on him in ~ this view, with a continual. renewal of your - troft in him, and a daily furrender of yourtelf _ to him, till:you feel that you love him mott entirely, that you ferve him with fincere de- _ light, and that you cangot live a day without ~ God in the world. Vil. You know. iomelels to be a-man, - an indigent Creature and a finner,’ and. you, pce tobe a Chriftian, a difciple. of ‘the, befied Jefus : but never think you know >. Bite ha!) oll bax x PCE Raga Se tee ee ees 128 THE BEAUTIES. oF pi. WATTSe - co ESAS | bs ei RRR Chrift nor yourfelf as you you ought, 1 ind’ a daily need of hini for righteoufnefs and ftrength, for pardon and tiation. and. ~ let him be your conftant introducer to the great God, though he fits upon abe of grace.. Remember his own words, Fobmxiv. 6. “ No man cometh tothe Father but by me.’” VIII. Make prayer a pleafure and not » tafk, and then you will not forget nor omit it. If ever you have lived in a praying fa-* mily, never let it be your fault if you do not’ live in One always. Believe that day, that» hour, or thofe minutes, tobe all wafted and loft,which any worldly pretences would tempt’ you to fave out of the public worfhip ef the church, the certain and conftant duties of they clofet, or any neceflary: fervices for God and: godlinefs. Beware left a blaftattendit, andnot ablefling. If God had not referved one day” in feven to himfelf, } fear religion would have" been loft out of the world ;- and every day of the week is expofed to a curle senceans has no morning religion. = IX. See that you watch and dadioasr3: as well: as pray. _ Diligence: and dependence: muft be united in the practice of every Chriftian. It is the fame wife manacquaints’” us, that the. hand of the diligent, and the bleffing of the Lord, join together to make us rich, Prev. x. 4, 22. rich mm the treafures., of body or mind, of time or inochi is Bry ” edi aus ® ae aa j +3 ee | THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 129 Ht is! your ‘duty indeed, under a fenfé of “your own weaknefs, too pray daily againft ‘fin 5 but if you would effe&ually avoid it} seh mut alfo avoid temptation, and every angerous opportunity. Setardouble guard. — - wherefoever you'teel or fufpeét an enemy: at hand. © The world-without,and the heart within, have fo much flattery and decéitiin them, that we'muft keep a fharp eye upon both, left we are trapt: into- mifchiet ep ong then. - & Honour, profit, and. leaana have been fornetimes called the world’s- Trinity; they:are its three chief idols; each of them is fufficient to draw a foul off from God, and Tuin it forever. Beware of them there- fore and of all their fubtle anigeeverege if you would be innocent or happy. ©). ~ Remember that the honour which comes from God; the approbation of heaven, and of your own confcience, are infinitely more valuable than all the efteem or applaule of men. Dare not venture one ftep out of ‘the road of heaven, for fear of being laughed at for walking ftri€tly. in it. It.is a poor relis | ion that cannot ftand againtt : a jeft. ~ Sell not your: hopes of heavenly treafures, hor any thing that belongs to your eternal in< tereft, for any of the advantages of the pres fent © life: « What fhall it profit a maa 4 i gain the. bc gc avery and lofe, = ; t¢ ul i eine 2". soem = 139 THE BEAUTIES OF sueheR ied ‘Remember alfo the words of the: wile 1 man, n, . He ‘that loveth pleafure fhall be a “man 3” he that indulges sigs ib in “ vin ' “and ei, ” that is drinkin in fenfaal gratifications, * bane be sich.” ; It is one of Paul’s characters of a moftdegene- rate age, when “‘men become lovers of plea- ‘ fhake the glafs with the gentleft motion, but the snud arifes, and diffwles itfelf makes ee i _ . THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS. 133 7 ne both the water and the veffel.. Our iraf- ‘ible paffions can fcarce be indulged a mo- : ent, but they are ready to defile the whole, | MISCEL, THOUGHTS, P. 268. ~~ Where the mere appearance of an angry e. ; ; ‘paffion will attain the fame end, I would not ‘choofe to’ give myfelf the trouble and inquie- -tude of feeling a real one. Why fhould I fuffer my blood and fpirits to rife into difor- ‘der, if the picture of anger in my counte- ‘nance, and the found of it imitated in my woice, will effectually difcourage and reprove the vice I would forbid? If I am but wife ‘enough to raife the appearance of refentment, ‘I need not be at the pains to throw mylelf ‘into this uneafy ferment. Is it not better ~ ‘for me, as a man and a chriftiin, to maintain ‘a calm, fedate averfion to fin, and exprefs my ‘diflike of it, fometimes at leaft, rather by a }counterfeit than real anger. If hypocrify be dawful any where, furely it may be allowed in this cafe to diffemble. ; MISCEL. THOUGHTS, P. 267 sath 4 4 ead aH REASON oF OURS pe OL | ABLES. Fe day ey ay Bh, cas SINCE thee cagielh of cit Sapo be cerning “eating his fleth and drinking - « blood,” foundvery y harfhand abfurd in the Zi teral fenfe of btekss 4 we mutt then feek « -plaineft and truelt: figurative fenfe : now tl _ Gsivery ‘near at hand, aad might’be © ~ 40 thofe among them who had ath, prophets with care. ~ Wk that the “livingybread is his ehh, S gives for the life Of the world,” at gives an intimation. that!his fleth ’ was to be :broken oridie a of atonement for our guilt death ; which was. not prop too, publicly and plainly.in hist vfurther that his blood ‘was to.’ wemiffion of Our fins,sand-to _ ais = and: that! we: malt’ nots, Mottrine, but we mult trot ~-remiffion, and feed upan this facri _as the Jews eat part of their facrific that we muft live upon, i it by trufti . And fince the ‘Meffiah was’ foreto made an offering for fin byt fince feeding upon fin-offerin to the Jewith religion, L wig, latinas lefs hearers “might ve at lot 4 GHE BEAUTIZS OF. DR4AWATTS, 135 4 of the fenfe and meaning of our ‘Saviour’s pe abies in this figurative language. But“ fuppsie: the Tews whei Ke firfi{pake it could not well underit tand him, confider they had-abufed this perfon, arid dendeéd ‘his doctrine, and having to far rejected the light, | they deferved tobe Jéft. in darknets, amidit | figures, and parables; as Chrift —— ea | clanes), Mearkiiww. $24.0 .290%t "q _ -ebddd-yet further, there az taciguet slither whicheChrift in his life-time. tpake) in! pro- phetic or parabolical language, for thisreafon; _as\1 before hinted, that they were not firand } proper, to be fpoken. too plainly at that fea fom; but he left ‘the .expreffions to) be exs ; plainedeby.the events.:o Phe deatl of Chrifts | which was not far off; and the: miunfiryof the - _ apoftles quickly. afterward reprefenting: ‘his _ death/as 4) ptopitiation for our-fins, gave tsa | plain-clew to Jead us into the fenfe of Chit | inthefe figuiatve and prephétic fpeeches, vali . . which are dochappily:accommodable:to -thefe _ | adeas andidoGrines of Chrifi’s: atonement: for ~ fin, and) our faith therein; as-gives. much fat- - isfadtion .to othe thinking: reader, ves toa: were defigned and: intended berehy.. oad be RON FR: ae io ys vas. a i REDEEMER. ab 8 Saneririzns . i . bea Bndiseekioss 2a OF Io cturye 22 1 cin B oad oa Moises te dt = jyaemensé O08 chau ee Ba Hiv wc i oe 4 - i Paes : t ; r - a iat “un - 7 * ct L i ok 36 wi ON THE SACRIFICE OF OUR ligion to us in the brighteft and faireft light, — and lays the ftrongeft. obligations on’ us to — perform all the duties of it ; yet it ftill fup- , pofes the impoffibility of our falvation there- by, through our own incapacity'to perform — thefe duties perfectly ; and therefore at fets forth to our view the blefled: facrifiee sof the © Son of God, which is the only true and-prop- — er facrifice for our fins. Nor-does it fet this atonement in the room of our endeavours af- _ - ter inward religion and real virtue, but in the — room of all other facrifices whatfoever, wheth- er Jewith or gentile. As for all the J ‘offerings, they were but’ appointed the facrifice of ‘Chrift, and could n atone for the fins of mankind againft ruler of the world. And the facrific Gentiles, what were they, but fi and offerings of beatts or men tars, fuch as God never 2 Atonement. This is the moft of St. Paul, in Rom, vili. 13. — ‘‘ condemnation of them who “ Jefus,” 7, e. who truft in him & Sd Ey, : ; 5 : - THE BEAUTIES-OF DR. WATTS. § 437 _ ef their pardon,.and.“ who walk not after the fleth, but after the Spirit,” ze. who live | holy lives: ‘what the law could not do im - _ © that it was weak,” and unable to juftify us through “ the flefh,” z ¢.. through our ma- bility to. perform it, God_has done this by fending his own Son in the likenefs of fin-- - fal. flefh, and a facrifice for fin, (as ’tis in the Greek) has condemned in the flefh,’” _ &c. and thus-made a way through his facri- | fice of atonement. for our juftification. and: fanctification.. ae a RAC Bol But left the force and’ fignificancy of any’ of thefe {criptures fhould be loft for want ofa. true idea.of what | mean by a.‘ proper and’ compleat. atonement.made “ for the fins of - “men,” I would here give fome general ex- plication of what I intend by the word. f do noi pretend to fuch accuracy and exact- ~nefs of definition, as might: be expected from: _a civilian, or a.divine ;* but I would {peak- what I take to.be the common fenfe of the thinking part of mankind in this matter, and ‘more particularly the fenfe of the. writers of the Old and New Teftament. a By atonement. for fin therefore, I do not: _ mean any fuch thing-as fhall-in.a proper and: ' 7 me, Nae rT oRe * The author does not fpeak here in his own charaétér of a cler=. - gyman : in the preface to the work from which this extraét is made,s .. he fays, ‘¢ Let‘itbe'remembered that this book is but a fort of con~- : “ verfation~piece among a few private friends, who pretend. notte’ Sy t mean therefore fome torlfome and’ painful fas Chrift ‘the Son of God, in the ‘room'an@ i38 THE Cre a, Fiteral fenfe appeafe the wrath’ of God, th ‘ offended Governor, which is” »pofed to be kindled againft his finful creatures, and fhalt’ incline his heart to mercy, which was bctore determined upon vengeance; for the thie dottrine may be reprefented fometimes after. , the manner of men, yet this is an idea or fup- pofition in many refpects inconfiftent with the attribates and actions of the bleffed'God, and with the doétrine of the New Teftament. Tn that book God reprefents hiafelf as “rich in | - mercy,” and for this reafon he ‘pitied fintul , creatures, who had broken his law, and bad’ -deferved to die, before’ he had tecdived: any atonement ;' and’ therefore God himfelf. pro- vided ahd! (ent “his own Miele to become.a {a- crifice and atonement, and,a ranfom for them ¢ he appointed him to-be'a furety for us, “the - *‘juft and the unjuft,” and to’ fuidier deat oT: the room and ftead of inners. 7-9 ’ By the words atonement or propitiation, k = =F = +e. Es thing to be done or fuffered, or both, ‘by. ftead of finiul men, as a penance or punith _ i ment on the account of their fins; and this — by the wife and righteous” appointment: of, ) God the univerial Governor, fhall excufe the penitent offender from the punithment that — was due, and obtain his pardon, becaule it fhall pive a recompence to the authority ‘of the divine Lnaggeres for the ve which was : nek a, iy (4s a f Hes E : ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. _ 139 i put upon him by the fins. of. men, iad fhall make fome reparation’of honour to his holy- law which was broken. And>this is not only | intended to manifeft the evil nature and the . of fin, together with God’s hatred: of 3 but it fhall alo anfwer the demand and { defizn of the threatening by fuch aévual. paia or punifhment, though ’tts: laid on the furety inftead of the offender ;. and thus it may fe- cure the law from being wilfully broken, in _time to come, as effectually as if the offenders themifelves had been punifhed. Sucha pain; ' pehance,.or punifhment, are the humihation © ; ane fufierings of Jefus Chrift, hislabours,and forrows » and ’tis in this fenfe that the lan- - guage of expiation or atonement, of propitia- tion and ranfom, is fo often ufed.* ’Tisin © _ this fenfe that he was faid to become a’ “* fa- _ “ crifice for us, to bear our fins on his own - * body on the tree,” and ‘* to be made fin,” EOF anfin offering for us, who knew no fin’ - himfelt ; in this fenfe he is faid to be “ made * a curfe;” and “ fuffer death for us,’ and _ to “ redeem us from it” thereby, becaufe the Jaw curfes' every finner, and pronounces death upon him. Now by thefe appointed fuffert -_ * Chrtt, after he bicatne! bh furety, was not, nor could:-be delive | ‘cred from thofe ferrows which were the punithment of our fins, he ¥ belng a2 our expiatory facrifice, not only on the océafion of our fins) hat in our feat, to beat” the punifhment ig our inquity. "Whisky von Heb. %. 3. ; é 140 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, ings of the Son.of God, in the room.and ftead of finful men, there is an honourable amend i made to the Governor of the world. for the’ violation of his law, and a ; glorious way made for the exercife of mercy in the pardon of the finner ; and that without any imputation of reflection upon the holinefs of God’s nature’ and conduct, or any fufpicion of the juftice” ef his government, as. if he woukd connive at fin ; fince he difcovers and declares, that in his paffing by all the fins. of his people in for- mer ages, and in pardoning and “ juttifying”” inners now “ who believe im Chrift,” he will manifeft juftice or righteoufnefs by requiring; fuch a facrifice whereby fin fhall be punifhed, though the finner be {pared. This is the plain meaning of the apoftle, Rem. ill.24, 25, 26, “ Being juftified freely by his grace, “through the redemption that is in Jefus- “ Chrift, whom God hath fet forth tobe a~ “ propitiation through faith in his blood, to: “ declare his righteou{nels for the remiffion: ‘| “ of fins that are paft, through the forbears **ance of God >to declare,I fay, at this time “ his righteoufnels, that he might be juft, and: * the juftifier of him that believeth in Jefus:”” which text our fathers have ever. thought an. unanfwerable proof as well as a clear explica- tion of this dodtrine... And I. think there is. abundant reafon in fcripture for us to fupport’. this fentiment.of our fathers, though all the modern writers fhould agree to oppole it. REDEEMER AND. sancrEnamts Pe- oe THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 142 é a _ CURIOSITY TO BE ENCOURAGED IN YOUNG PER- As SONS. _ CURIOSITY isa ufeful fpring of know! edge : it fhould be encouraged in children, and awakened by frequent and familiar meth- ods of talking with them. -It fhould be in- dulged in youth, but not without a prudent moderation. In thofe who have too much it fhould be limited by a wife and gentle re- ftraint or delay, left by wandering after every thing, they learn nothing to perfection. In thofe who have too little, it fhould be excit- ed, leit they. grow ftupid, narrow tpirited, felf-fatishied, and,never attain a treafure of ideas, or an aptitude of underftanding. _ tee ~ POSTHUMOUS WORKS, P. IG. tS: 3 5 4 ' * ye ee sane ‘ FAULT OF YOUNG PREACHERS REPROVED. -. YOUNG Preachers juft come from the fchools, are often tempted to fill their fermons with logical and metaphyfical terms in ex- plaining their text, and feed their hearers with fonorous words of vanity. This {cholaf- tic language, perhaps may. flatter their own ambition, and raife a wonderment at their r 142 ‘THE BEAUTIESIORDRsMWATISY learning among the ftaring multitude, witties out any manner of influence toward the in- ftrbétion of thé isnoraiif’ of the immoral or imiprOus + thefe terms of art are but the tools of an artificer 2 which his work is-wrought i in'’priv: te 5 He-tonis era not’ to appear th ne fiith ork thip: i raid te 1 a : we Naat? ae | : aT, shoal GENTLENESS OF ADDRESS dueeetvcom convine °- | Gane Our OPPONENTS. et eats ts seh SES PR As : Lye hice WOR! ’ When an author denied ‘a 4 Gea & to revi his work, it is too frequent a praétice te allow almoft every correétion whit cious ffiend would make; he a this word, and the other expreffio - dicates this fentence, and gives: for another paragraph, and {care mits to correction ; and this ucte! ages the freedom that a ie e fi | wa x & . THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS» 147 take, i in pointing out our miftakes. Such "writers who are {fo full of themfelves, may go on to admire their own uncorrect perform- “ances, and expofe their works and their follies ; Bf. the world without pity. POSTHUMOUS WORKS, P. 8g, © If you have not the advantage of friends to furvey your writings, then read them over yourtelf, and all the way confider what wilt’ be the fentence and judgment of all.the vari- ous characters of mankind upon them : think what one of your own party would fay, or what would be the fente of an adverfary : ‘imagine what a curious or a malicious man, what a captious or an envious critic, what a — vulgar ora learned reader would object, eith- er to the matter, the manner, or the flile : and be fure and think with yourfelf, what you yourtelf could fay againft your own writing, if you were of a different opinion, or a ftran- -ger to the writer : and by thefe means: you will obtain fome hints, whereby to correct and improve your own work, and to guard it better againft the cenfures of the public, as well as to render it more ufeful to that part of mankind for whom you chiefly defign it. POSTHUMOUS WORKS, P. 90: 148 THE BEAUTIES’ : See bs bet r sip et % et eh: he MLITHOD OF STRENGTHENING THE MENORY 0 oF : CHEE rhea Tose L HAVE known children, ‘gue fom thel ear! ly years have been conftantly trained up and taught to remember a few fentences of a iermon “be fides the text, and by this means. have grown up by degrees to know all the cifling parts and brahehes of a difcourfe, and in time to write down half the fermon after, ilicy came homhe, to their own. confolatio. 1, and the improvement of their friends ; where- as thofe wno have been hever taught to ule their memories in their younger parts of i lofe every thing from their thoughts: when. it is pat off trom theit® ears, and. come ie: m noble and edifying difCourfes, cafe ( f may be) with the tranfient found, commending the préacher, but uninflruged, unimpi coved without any. eigen d if knowl- i ecg re OF secs ’ J ft posrREMOUS Sah oe Aer RELIGIOUS AND MORAL DUTY ier ‘BE er 4 GED IN CHILDREN: em on hos on “¥ aN 4 . » ? CONSCIENCE is another ‘eaturabpowee of the fon, wherein the. ah? of nin | THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 149 and rules of duty to God and man are to be _ laid up: it is fomething within us that calls. us to account for our faults, and by which. we pafs a judgment concerning ourfelves and’ } our actions. Children havea confeience’ within’ them,, and it thou'd be awakened early to its duty.. They fhould be taught to reflect and look - back upon their own behaviour, to call them-. felves- often to: account, to compare: theis ' deeds with thofe good rules and principles laid up in their minds, and to fee how far _ they have complied with them, and how far’. they have neglected them. Parents thould. teach their cinidren to pay 4 religious refpect to the inward dictares of virtue within thern,> _ to examine their actions continuaily by the light of their own. confciences, and to Tejoice when they can approve themfelves to their , Own minds, that they have aéted well accord-- ing to the beft of their knowledge : they - ought alfo to attend to the inward reproofs of -conicience, and mourn, and be afhamied, and repent when they have finned againft. their: ‘light. It is of admirable ufe toward all the practices of religion and every virtue, to have confcience well ftored with good per and to be always kept tender and watchful ; it is proper that children fhould learn to rev- erence and obey this inward monitor betimes,. that every wilful fin may give their confciences: A _ ¥ 160 THE BEAUTIES OF B ’ children, and hath fixed in their con. vga 1 a ine a fenfible pain and uneafinefS, and may be difpofed to pee NR - to confiderations of confeiente, and to | any extremities rather than att contrary to a POSTHUMOUS Wo; eg Mi ai C ' * es AOD et fe kek Oe trios wer FT eee FLL CONSEQUENCES OF TERRIFYING YOUNG . "BY DISMAL NARRATIVES. 5 Alea Le terrify their tender minds with difmal of witches and ghofts, of devils and evil its, of fairies and bu bears Mi age hath had a moft mifchievous effect ‘ : 2 : ¥} 38 sit LET not any perfons that are_ne; {uch a rooted flayery and fe _fcarce dared to be left alo efpecially in the night. “ made fuch a deep and frightful im ‘their tender fancies, that it hath | their fouls, it hath broken their fj it hath grown up with them, and with their religion, it hath k foundation for melancholy a forrows. Let thefe fort of inform referved for their firmer years, ar net be told in their hearing bl - ter judge what truth or reality them, and be made fenfit le h owing to romance and fiction, — ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 151 Nor let their little hearts be frighted at three or four years old with fhocking and _ bloody hiffories, with maflacres and martyr- _ doms, with cuttings and burnings, with the _ images of horrible and barbarous murders, with racks and red hot pincers, with engines, _ of torment and cruelty, with mangled limbs, and carcafés drenched in gore. Its time enough, when their fpirits are grown a little firmer, to acquaint them with thefe madneffes and miferiesof human nature. ‘There is no need that the hiftory of the holy confeffors ‘and martyrs fhould be fet before theirthoughts _ fo early in all their moft ghaftly thapes and colours. Thefe things, when they are older, may be of excellent ufe to dilcover to them the wicked and bloody principles ef perfecu- tion, both among the Heathens and Papitts ; and to teach them the power of the grace of Chrift, in {upporting thefe poor fufferers un- der all the torments which they fuftained for the love of God and truth. ae POSTHUMOUS WORKS, FP. 116, PARTICULAR PARTS OF THE BIBLE NOT TO BE * READ BY CHILDREN. THERE fhould be a wife conduct in fhewing children what parts of the Bible they 3s 152 THE BEAUTIES OP DR, WATTS. fhould read ; for though the word of | God expreffeth all things with due decency, yet there are fome things which have been found neceflary to be fpoken of i in fcripture, both | in the laws of Moles, and in the * ‘ tion of the wickednefs of the Gentiles in the ' New Teftament, in which adult perfons have — been concerned, ‘which there is. no neceffity — for children to read and hear, and they may — be paffed over, or omitted among them. ‘The Jews were wont to withhold So/omon’s. fong from their children till they: were thirty years » old : and the late pious and pradent bilhop © Tillotfon (in a manutcript which I have feen) — wifhes that thofe parts of the Bible wherein — are fome of the affairs of mankind expretied. “ too naturally” (as ie calls it) were omitted in the public leflons of the church: I think — they may as well be excepted alfo out of the common lefions of children, . and ‘out of age ou courfe of reading in family worfhip, | POSTHUMOUS wore, B16. {4 pe ee eae zx ———SSsSS080000 EE SSS SSS aa - RULES FOR MODERATING ate ANGER: OUR natures are fo eee it cori that itis very hard for us to give a loofe to any angry paffion agantt men, wi into fome featiments of malice. oF revenge. ~ 7 . a _* a \ St-14 b “ .. THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 153 and thereby finning againft God. Out anger | is very apt to kindle “about trifles, or upon - meré fufpicion, without juft caufe ; or fome- _ times rifes too high where the caufe may be | _juft ; or it continues too long, and turns in- to hatred : and in either of thefe three cafes it becornes finful. It istherefore with the utmoft caution that this paffion fhould ever be fuffered to arife ; and unlefs we» quickly fuppiefs it again; we fhall be in great danger of bringing guilt up- ~on our fouls. The bleffed apoftle therefore connects the permiffion, the caution, and reftraint together, Eph. iv. 26.** Be angry, *< and fin not: let not the fun go down up- _“ on your wrath,” DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS; P. 135 Let your defires and averfions to the common objects and occurrences in this life be but few and feeble. Make it your daily - bufinefs to. moderate your averfions and de- fires, and to govern them’by reafon. This will guard you again{l many a ruffle of fpirit both of anger and forrow. DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS. P. 337. Softens not your thoughts to dwell on the injuries you have received, or of the provok- _ing words that have heen fpoken againft you. Not only learn the art of negleéting injuries at the time you receive them, but let them | grow lefs and lefs every moment, till they di out of your mind. Suffer not your mut ing imagination, when you are alone, to fwe and magnify the provocations that have been — given you, nor to blow up the fire = this. uneafy paffion. Avoid much converfation saditi ‘men of wrath, and endeavour to keep clear of all dif putes "with weak minds, with obftinate fpirits, and efpecially with perfons ofan angry and _ peevifh temper, as far as you can. If the flint and fteel {trike againft each other in a way of difpute, the {parks of fire will be rea- - dy to fly out, and the angry flame will be kindled. "© Love your neighbeurs as yourfelf. a You: - are not immediately kindled into wrath a-— gainft yourfelf, nor exprefs it with fuch vio- lence, though you have often done yourfelf more injury by your own fins than all ieee _ perfons ever ‘could do you. You do not | malice again{t yourfelf, nor hate youctel, though you have,~perhaps, fome evil qualities 4 belonging to you, and you have often finned” againft your own foul : you forbear yourfelf long, and you forgive yourfelf aisle: learn bi to forbear and forgive your neighbours DOCTRINE OF THE tentae 154 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. watts. a Rica 3 is a fhort pee 5 it thro perfon off his guard ; ; neither the truth © n -eafon appear to him as teafon or sarah zi THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, 155. violence of the paffion throws off all re- 'ftaints, the phrenzy difdains all law and juf- tice ; and drives. the man to wild extrava- gance. Is this the lovely, the defirable, pat- tern that you choofe to imitate ? Do you like this figure fo well as to put it on your- Bien. Tit ; Be Live always under the eye of God, and- fupprefs rifing anger with the reverence of his name and prefence. Remember that a ‘holy God and holy angels behold you ; and are you not afhamed to appear in their fight under all the extravagant diforders of this paffion ? Remember the dignity of your na- ture as man, and your character as a Chrif- tian, and a child of God. Keep the facred example of Jefus ever be. fore your eyes : how meck under the vileft _affronts ! how patient under the radeft in- juries and moft barbarous treatment ! how forgiving eyen to his bloody murderers ! how did he return the higheft good for the _greateft evil! and paid down his blood and life to redeem his enemies from hell, and to putchafe eternal joy and glory for them ! «Let fuch a mind be in you 4s was in _* Chrifl the Son of God, who being reviled, - © reviled not again ; and when he {uffered, . “he threatened not : leaving us an example. ‘ _“ that we fhould follow his {teps.” . DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS, P. 147s - ‘ee SS. eo 4 bigge 2 fat es dai ’ We mee a hy a : , ge : ai on Wye): ‘ans 155 THE BEAUTIES OF ‘phe watts It is faid, concerning Julius Cat i on any provocation, he would repeat the Ro- man alphabet, before he fuffered himfel fpeak, that he might be “more juft calfh in his relentments. The delay of a '. few moments has fet many feeming aifronts _ in ajutter and kinder light ; it has often lef : fened, if not antahiea the fuppofed i injurys : and prevented violence and revenge. ‘DOCTRINE oF THE FRSSTORA, P. Hy. 7 ty Think with oun how much | injur y you do yourfelf by fuffering your angry mt fions to rife and prevail. The fire of wrath _ and refentment preys upon your nature, deftroys your health and your eafe, fills your {pirits with tumults and, difquie- 4 tudes, expofes you fo fhame before, m ny Z you under guilt before Ghar ‘and makes ay painful preparation for bitter. repentance Why will you punifh you urfelf ecaule another has injured you? or, if pa pan of be rude and wrathful, ill-natured “es ‘ill- -bred, why will you imitate him and _expol € your felf : Ne Think again, how much more pleai fea glory there is in Overcoming: ‘the v . your own fpirit, than in yielding: to your eat, P ftrong pafhons, and fuffering ro a carried away with the torrent of your own re-" -fentments. ‘ He that rules he own n fpirit ; ‘ e | 4 ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 157 ‘ “ds .a greater ‘hero than be that conquers 4 acity.” . Tobe angry saa triflesy: is mean and childifh ; to tage and be furious is brutith ; and to maintain “perpetual wrath -is akin to the practice andtemper of devils ; but ‘to prevent onfuppre(s:rifing refentment, as wile and glorious, 1s manly and divine. This one piece of conduc will raifé our reputation for.wifdom among men, more than a hundred fine fpeeches, or fupérior airs ; and will greatly adorn our characters as per- fons of picty. The wifdom that is from ““ above is ee ee and eafy to be “* intreated.” - DOCTRINE OF THE iy EEE T45- Think with: yountel how many eveater crimes has the blefled God forgiven you, .if you are a Chriftian indeed ; and will you not forgive your brother his petty offences ? Has the Maker and Lord of heaven and earth forgiven you ten thoufand talents, and will you not forgive your brother a hundred pence ? Did the Son of God make himfelf a facrifice for your offences, that you might Le pardoned, and will you make your broth- er, who has offended you, a facrifice to your fury ? : But confider farther, that if you do not forgive your oh who-has offe :ded you, “458 THE DEAUTIES!OF DR: A, | - laborious digging } ? Have « rane oe ; you cannot expect to be fo 73 it ds evident, according” te tence ‘of the ‘gofpely you: cant be forgive without it. “ If you for men th trefpafies, neither will your heavenly Fat ** forgive you.”? Do bathe bu | of your-trefpaffes, even’ ias ya who tre{pafs againft you, and your own prayers 2a. SOC 7 Nat? sera sas . ra pert 2 sites t Tia) 5 Cok 7 4 AGAINST INDULGING [IMPROSER RESTRAIN your aed _and all folicitous enquiries into were better unknown. | {prings of fear, forrow, ang have been found out. and br curious fearch into fach thing fafely remained for ever fecre’ rance of them! had ‘epenies . and hurtful paffions. “A fond know all that our ‘riedeet us is often recompenfed sith tudes and anguifh of foul. DOCTR ie ‘FHE.BEAUTIES OF DRS WATTS. 159 ae RABTUAL REFLECTING “UPON Jail RECOM. MENDED.” _- : LIVE! much in the expectation of ideath; ee in. the view and ‘hope of .eternal things. , Death! and judgment, leaven and hell, are -fuch’ grand and aivful ideas, that where they. are :duly, confidered, they will make’ the things of, this life appear fo very little and inconfid- erable, as /to be fearce worthy of our hopes — ‘andy fears, our! defires:! and averfions, our’ wrath and refentniehts, our forrows and 4 joys. Such a fteady profpect’ and expectation of things infinite anil everlafling, will, by de- | grees, diffolve the force’ of -vifible and temi-- poral. thingsyjand make them unable. to raife any wild and unsuly paffions within us. Hap- a the foul that has a {trong and lively faith ae worlds, of future terrorsiand glo- ries t. this;wili cure: the vicious diforders of ‘flefh: cand fenfe, appetite and paffion: this - will raife the fpirit of the: wings on devout! affection, to the borders of paradife, and at-- temper the, foul to the ,bufinefs and the joys of the blefied. 3 -) DOCTRINE OF THE BAiSIONS, P. 17.65 t60 THE BEAUTIES @F DR. WATTS. | ‘ Wales he TS Btn sd i. t wan ~ ( -* CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE pian CRUEL cr paint RY: eel NOR fhould they ¢ ever be aticlied “tg practice thofe diverfions that carry an idea’ of barbarity and cruelty in them, tho’ it be but to brute creatures. They fhould not fet up. _ cocks to be banged with cudgels thrown at _ them about Shrovetide ; nor delight: in giv ing a tedious lingering death to a young lit- ‘ter of dogs er cats, that may be appointed to be deftroyed and drowned, left they multi iply too much in a houfe : nor fhould they take pleafure in pricking, cutting or “mangling: young birds which they have 2 ht, nor ufing my favage and bloody | -actices. to= hearts grow hard and creing at ay learn in time to practice thee ¢ cruelties~ Fie elias mortals ; 3 or at rin oe ‘ine ferent to their pain and hear fo as to 0 cafion i it without remorfe. EE ee! peel posTAY MOUS: cht By THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 161 RELIGIOUS AND MORAL R2FLECTIONS ON THE. PRACTICE OF GAMING.. MANY young gentlemen have been there bubbled and cheated of large fums of mo- ney, which were given them by their parents to {upport them honourably in their ftations.: In fuch fort of fhops young ladies are temp- ted to fquander away too Jarge a fhare of their yearly allowance, if not of the provifion: which their parents have made for their whole: lives.. It is a‘ fatal fnare to both fexes: if — they win they are allured ftill onward, while, — according to their language, luck runs on their fide : if they lofe they are tempted to’ another and another caft of: the die, and en-- ticed on {till to frefh games by a delufive hope, that fortune will: turn: ;: and’ they fhall: recover all that they have loft. In‘the midft of thefe fcenes. their paffions rife‘ fhamefully,. a greedy. defires of gain: makes them: warm: and eager,. and new loffes plunge them fome- times into vexatiom and‘fury,. till the fon! is: quite beaten off from its guard, and. virtue and reafon have no manner. of comimand ‘Om ver them. oe hay My worthy friend Mr, Neal,. in his: Re- formation-Sermon,, has taken: occafion ‘not: only to inform us that “ merchants andi ent O12” iVSI4- AD if is brs hue 162 °° THE “REAUTIES OF sii *e trade(men mix themfelves 40k thele farce -“ with men of defperate fortunes, and throw «the dice for their eftates.”” But in n'a ve ry decent and foft manner of addrefs, has. ene juired, Whether ublic ing in virtu- « ous ladies i is not. a tle eur ee rai er? “ Whether i it does not | ‘draw them jot to mix-— “ed company, ‘and give them. an air of t ‘bold- « nefs,. which i As. perfectly inconfiftent with — “that modefty, which is the: ornament of lee «“ ? > fair ex? Whether it dozs not ‘of Meee th a Shr foe ’ , “hours. By “Whether their “pal ions ; ah « loffes her “faftain have ‘not a eng hae : .* breed ill. blood in their families, a ; i “ ‘often obleryed, that gaming fea ; Re ufually been tre ih he eae F who afte bécome labouring under fore’ ‘difeales, anc them fallen afleep in: ‘death ? Hav mufic and their dancing, inftea Fett in their peds,” “brought them ~ Jong filente'in the grave, an ret ina’ bed of dult ? ‘Thofe ” an ces of human fatare, who were joy and hope: of their too in are now the bitternefs ‘of thei thofe very exercifes from. whet ence the ‘contineance of their aA as! pofed méins of confirming t health,” are become’ an everlatt their mourning.” — eat e's as thole midnight recreate 10 pare tie} are more. mA oii aa 4 hi the dutiés of fligion. “The religion. of the” clofet is negleAed, the beautiful: re Sularity and order of the family ts broken ; ; and when the night has been turned into day, '; a good part of the’ next day’ eich 0 night while the duties of the 1 ‘. - ’ THE BEAUTIESOF DR: WATTS. 167. God data; are unperformed. “Tholé ‘who “have frequented thefe affemblies know all this, and are my witneffes to the truth of it: Nay. the very practice itfelfy at-thofe unfeas fonable: hours, tells.‘all the world how much they prefer. thefe . dangerous amufements to -theworfhip of God ‘in the evening and’in ~ the morning; and to all the conventencies and decorum of family government. . Befides, if. Ifpéakito Chriftians,» have: you «tot found that ‘the indulgence: to this fort of .diverfions, whichrare ufually: practifed in thofe unfeafon- able affemblies, leads the mind away infenfi- bly ftom God.and :religion, gives a:vanity to the: {pirit, ‘and greatly: abates the {pirituai and heavenly temper which fhould belong to Chriftians ? Hath:it not taken away the fa- vour/of godlinefs.aad ‘tincture: of ‘piety from fome' younger: minds? And do elder Chrifti+ ans never fuffcr by it? Let it -be further.con- fidered, what fort of company: you. “mingle _ with in-thote midnight affemblies. “Are they moft:frequentediby the. wife and pious, of by - the ,mére: vain and: vidious| part of mankind 2 | Do! they tend: torfill:your mind with the moft _ improving notions, and your ears sand your lips with thé moft.proper converlation ?YDo - you that frequent:them neverfind: your, pies - _ ty in-dangér there? Does ftrit-religion.and Ss prayer elif fo. well. with. you fafter’ “thote gawdy nights of mith and: folly:? And do you then; when you join in thofe:affembhies, — 768 THE BEAUTIES OF DRAVATTS _practife the domme: ‘cecal abfta: from all appearance: of. ei acelin te ca paths of temptation ? Can “you: pray for a __ bleffing‘on your attendance: uO ; meetings ? Or can“youhope to-run into.the. — midf of ‘thofe fparks and ‘living: coals and Spi yet not be burned, norfo much as have your garments figned ? Are not parentsi very gen-_ erally fenfibleithat there are dangerous {nares “to: youth in thofe:gay diverfions ? and there} - fore the mother will’ herfelf go along with*her young offspring to take” care: ot them, and to watch: over them ; ‘and perhaps there is - fcarcely any place or: time which more wants" the watchful eye of a fuperior.. But here-let me afk, is this all the reafon: why the mother attends thofe feenes of: vanity? Has fhe no relifh for theny herfelfi?’ Has fhe no gay hus mours of her own:to be gratified, which fhe ‘difguifes and covers with the pretence of a parental folicitude for the virtue and honour of her offspring ? are> there no mothers who - freely lead their children into thofe perilous i places, where foul and body are in ‘danger, © and are really, their ser ie under a colour — of being their guardians ? You will plead, perhaps, that fome of thefe things are proper for the improvement of young people in good breeding and politenefs.. 4 They muft.be brought into company, to fee the world, and to learn how to behave » with becoming decency. biti fuppofe th thefe © 7 THE BEAUTIES OF DR, WATTS. 169 “affemblies to be academies of politenefs, and that young people attend there upon lec- tures of good breeding, Js there no other. time fo fit as midnight, to polifh the youth _of both fexes, and.to breed them well ? May “not an hour or two be appointed at. more oper feafons, by felec& companies, for mu- tual converfation, and innocent delight ? Can there be no genteel recreations enjoyed, “no leffons of behaviour taught by day light? pean: no method of improvement in good breeding be contrived and appointed which, hall. be more fecure from temptations and Miaconveniencies ? Are there none which ate ‘more harmlefs, more innocent, of better re- “putation among perfons of ftrict piety, and which. make leis inroad.on the duties of -life, both folitary and facial, civil and religious. i. : POSTHUMOUS WORKS, P. I194- f _ Ibis the duty of parents who ese give their children a good education, to fee to it ithat children, in their younger years, do not indulge {uch recreations as may {poil all the good effects of the pious inftructions,- the prayers, and cares of their parents. Other- wife, if you encourage them in fuch recrea- tions, you are building up thofe vanities of = ‘and thofe vicious inclinations with one and which you labour to prevent or deftroy with the other. —POSTHUMOUS WORKS, PB. 196. a : 2 = Bf 470 «THE ‘PEAUTIES or ance too ready to put off God in fecret or in4 fhort, as though the only defign of it were : the mo neceffary and important p ce te OF SECRET AND. soci main WHILE I am difeou g young | tians from that affectation o Jong: p which arifes from an oftentation of parts, from a fuperftitious hope of pleafin God better by faying many parte fron a trifling frame of (pitty IT wou vi my readers imagine that the fhort are always the beft. Our Sinful natures Uy family, with a few minutes of worfhip, { mere floth and wearinefs of holy thi which is equally to be blamed: for. we omit.a great part of the neceflary x of prayer in confeffions, petitions, plead for mercy, or thankfgivings. Nor do I that prayer in public afiemblies fhould— mere preface before the fermon, or a b -diction after at. Whereas focial pi one confiderable part (if not the chi of public worfhip ; and we ought ¢ ‘to continue fo long in it, as to runt of a focial addrefs to the throne of G Chriftian prudence will teach us to deter the length of our prayers agreeably t caSon and prefent circumftances, and ace ing to the meafure of our own ability f work. GUIDE To ee pare THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, 171 ja, THE TONE OF THE VOICE IN PRAYER. -"FHOUGH the beauty of our expref- | fions, and the tuneablenefs’ of our voice, can - never render our worfhip more acceptable to _ God, the infinite Spirit ; yet our natures being > compofed of ftefh and {pirit,may be affifted in worthip by the harmony of the voice of him that fpeaks. Should the matter, method, and expr eiliokss Be never to well chofen in prayer yet it is impoffible for the voice. to fpoil the pleafure, and injure the devotion of our - fellow-worthippz:rs. When {fpeeches. of the beit compofure and warmeft language, are recited in a cold, harfh, or ungrateful way,. the beauty of therm ts almoft loft. Some perfons, by nature, have a very {weet and tuneful voice, that whatloever they {peak appears pleafing. Others muft take much more pains, and attend with diligence to rules and directions, that their voice may be formed to an agreeable pronunciation : for we find by fad experience, that all the ad- vantages that nature can obtain or apply to _ affift our devotions, are all little enough to Keep our hearts from wandering, and to maintain delight : at leaft it is a neceflary duty to know and. avoid thofe difagreeable 172 THE BEAUTIES oF DR. WATTS. ways of pronunciation, that may rather dit. gut than ‘edify fuch as may join with Us. I confefs, in fecret prayer there is no “ne- ceflity of a voice, for God heats a whifper as well asa figh anda groan. Yet fome Chrif- tians cannot pray with any* ‘advantage to themfelves without the ufe of a voice in fome degree ; nor can. I judge it at all i ims proper, but rather preferable, fo. that you have a convenient place for fecrecy : for hereby you will not only excite vour own feStions the more, but b practice i in fecret, if you take due care of your ‘voice there, ‘you may learn alfo to {peak in sblic the better. The great and apna role T would lay ‘down for managing the voice in prayer As this: “* Let us ufe the fame, voice | wit & which we ufually {peak in gh ve and fe- ‘ rtous conyeriation, efpecially up on pathe= © tical and affeéting fubjeéts. is 1s the beft direction that ‘| know, | to1 Recess: the ce jound as well as the words. Onur: own. na- tive and common yoice appears moft natu- ral, and may be managed with the greatelt eafe. And fome perions have taken occafion | to ridicule our worfhip, and to cenfure us as hypocrites, when we fondly feek any new ‘and different fort of founds or voices “in “our prayers, GUIDE gOS: ¥ oe f -THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS.” 1273 THAT IT Is SINFUL TO COMPLAIN OF THE DIS- PENSATIONS OF PROVIDENCE. _ AN African has no right to complain, that he was not born-a Briton; nor a porter that he _ was not born a prince ; nor Saphronius and ‘I, that we were not made prophets and apof- tles. If God has furnifhed all men with fuch natural powers, as being improved in the belt manner, would lead them to virtue, religion, and happinefs, furely his creatures may give him leave to make fo much diftinétion be- tween them, as to fet fome of them in a plainer and eafier road'to happinels than he has others : and it is fhameful ingratitude for us, in chriftian countries, to complain of our bountiful Creator, who-has afforded us fuch peculiar favours, and’ made our way to heaven plaineft of ‘all. - STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUM. REASON, P 210, e sss" 2 a - CHARITABLE JUDGMENT OF OUR. FELLOW- CREATURES RECOMMENDED. “LET us take a furvey of the world, and fee what a mixture there is of amiable and 2 P 2 174. THE BEAUTIES OF sien ae hateful qualities among the children fine There is beauty and comelinets 3 ‘there. | “vigour and vivacity ; there i as ir and compaffion ; there is wit, and judgment; and induftry, even among” thole that are pro- fligate and abandoned to many vices. There is fobriety, and love, and honeity, and |jnttice, . and decency amongft men that ‘ know ‘net -** God, and believe not the gofpel of our. «© Lord Jefus.” There are very few of the: fons and daughters of Adam, but are poffel- fed of fomething good and: agreeable, either, by nature or acquirement ; thersiotes# when . there is a neceflary occafion to the vices of any man, I fhould not ies evi ' him-in the grots, nor heap ‘reproaches on hin > by wholefale. It is very difingenuous to talk Epat ft vs fcandal in fuperlatives, as tho he e who was a finner,” was a Bets ila, " very worlt of men, all over hatefal an es a 4 minable. me i 4 How (harply thea oui ON es ot ae prove us, when we give cur pride and m a loofe to ravage over all the a our neighbours, and deny all that" is os of concerning them, becaule they have fome- thing in them that is criminal and worthy ¢ blame! Fhus our judgment is abufed by « paffions.; and fometimes this Joly reigns ii 1 us to fuch.a degree, that we can hardly allow _ a man to be ne or inzenuous, “to have a | grain of he fenfe, or good humour, that is Wak 2 . uw THE BEAUTIES QF DR, WATTS. ap" not of our profeffion, or our party, in mat- ters of church or ftate. Let us look back upon our conduct, and bluh ito think that _we fhould indulge fuch prejudices, fuch fin- - ful partiality. AUB ORS, VOL. I, P. 14%. I will not therefore fay within myfelf con- cerning any man, “J hate him utterly, and * abhor him in all” aelpeets, © eeaufe he has « not true holinefs.”. But I will look upon him, and confider whether there may not be fome accomplifhment in hin, fome:moral -vittue, fomevaluab!e talent, {ome natural or acquired excellency ; and I will not neglect ‘to. pay due efteem to every deferving quality, wherefoever I find it. It isa piece of ho- nour due to God our Creator, to obferve the various fignatures of his wifdom that he has impreffed upon his creatures, and the over- flowing treafures of his goodnefs, which he ‘has diflributed among the works of his hands. Thus I may very juftly ‘love a’ man, for — ‘whom, 1 in the vulgar fenfe, I have no chari ity, that is, fuch a one as I believe to be in a _ftate of fin and death, and. have no prefent hope of his falvation. How could holy pa- rents fulfil their duties. of affection to their wicked children ? Or pious children pay due refpect to-finful parents ? How could a be- lever fulfil the law of love to am unbel: eving ~ thers a century ago, and in: ¢ malt p Biniy CATION CONTRASTED. ta, ‘children in our age. learning by terrible difcipline Pied Gi > to 4176. THE BEAUTIES onan. WAtES : tg sh brother, or a dearer relative; if we ought to admit. of no, love to: perfons t tha: Pa are in a ftate at enmity to God?) ahs iia nad sash mapmbelbatad st ye 48S 4 “alee se r ef ie Te yi yee ee aU | *) Ett ino ac cae Tee ANCIENT AND MODERN EDU. i ela 4 SO weak and unhappy is human Mora that it is ever ready’to run-into extrem¢s 5 and'when we would: recover’ ‘ourfelves from — an excefs.on the right hand, we know not -where to ftop till we are got to an excels on the left. Inftances of this kind are innume- rable in all the affairs of human life ; bu is hardly more remarkable in ; any thing, t . in the ftri@t and fevere ' education nena ¢ | and unlimited liberty that is indul In thofe days the fons were bre toe! and Latin author they cobverfer: with,.. NaS attended with one, or thany new feourge to drive them into acquaintance with bin and not the leaft mifdemeanor in life coul efcape the lath > as though a father wou prove his daily “ love. to his fon ae, ¢ THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 1'}7 <¢ {paring his rod,” Prov. xiii. ‘24. Now-a- days young matter muft be treated with a foolifh fondlets, till he is grown to the fize of man; and let his faults be never fo heinous, and his obftinacy never fo great, yet the pre- ceptor muft not let him hearthe name of the rod, left the child fhould be frighted or. hurt ; the advice of the wifeft of men is ut- terly forgotten, when he tells us, that due *< correction fhall drive out the folly that is “ bound upin- the heart offa child,” Prov. xxil. 15. Orelfe they boldly reverfe his divine counfel, Prov. xiit. 24. as though they would’make the rule of their praétice a di- ret contradiction to the words of Solomon, namely, that ‘he that /pareth the rod loveth *his fon, but he that haterh him, una ‘“him betimes.” — ‘¥n that day many children were kept i ina mott fervile fubjection, and not fuffered to fit down, or to {peak i in the prefence of their favher, till they were come to the age of one and twenty. The leaft degree of freedom was efteéimed a bold prefumption, and incur-- red a fharp reproof.. “Now they are made familiar companions to their parents, almoft from the very nurfery ; and therefore they will hardly bear a check or rebuke at site| hand. In the baeictne of the latt century, anid fo onward to the middle of it, the children were ulually obliged to believe what their al eS ‘QSoee va 178 bun nacrion oe e. parents and matters taught them; wheth they were principles of Fee ‘ faith and practice: they were tied down ne Imgit every punctilio, as though it were p fary to falvation ; they were not fuffered to examine or enquire whether their. teachers, were in the right, and fearce knew upon what, grounds they were to affent. to the things that were taught them ; for it was a maxim. of all teachers, thar the ‘earner mutt believe : Difcentem operte @edere. Then’ an infe dixit, or Ariftotle faid fo, was a fufficient Lean ‘of any propofition in the colleges sand fora man, of five and twenty to. bes a Chriftian and a proteftant, a difeater ora church- man, it was almoft reafon enough to fay his fack was fo. But in this century, when the doc- trine of a juft and reafonable liberty 4 hh bet- ter known, too many of the. prefé uth . break all the bonds of nature and duty, a to the wildeft degrees of loofenels, bod in. belief and practice. They flight the relig which their parents have taught them, that they may ,appear to have chofen a religion for themfelves ¢ and when they. have made a creed or belief of their own, or rather bor- rowed fome feraps of infidelity from. their vain companions and equals, they find pre- | tences enough to caft off all % other te at. once, as, wall as the counfels’ and | their religious, predeceflors, P Bo me of, om THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 179 » The praétices of our fathers (fay thzy) *¢ were precife and foolifh, and fhall be no © rule for ouf conduct ; the articles of their ‘* faith were abfurd and myfterious, but we *< will believe nothing. of myftery, left -our «faith fhould be as ridiculous as theirs.” In _ their-young years, and before their reafon ts half grown, they pretend to examine the {ub- blimeft doctrines of Chriftianity ; anda raw and half-witted boy fhall commence an in- fide), becaufe he cannot comprehend fome of the glorious truths of the gofpel, and Jaughs at his elders and anceftors, for beliey- _ ing what they could not comprehend, The child now-a-day forgets that his pa- rent is obliged by all the laws of God and nature, to “train him up in his own religion, ~ till’he is come to the proper age of difcre- tion to judge for himfelf ; he forgets or he will net know, that the parent is introfted with the care of the fouls of his young off- {pring by the very Jaws of nature, as well as by the revealed covenants of innocency and ‘of grace. The fon now-a-days forgets ‘the ‘obhgations he js under to honour and obey the perfons that gave him birth ; he pays no regard to the doctrines which led on his an- ceftors to the love of God and man ; whereas doétrines that have fuch influence, claim at jeaft fome degrees of attention, and {pecially from a fon who has been trained up in them, and beheld the effect of them in the piety of 180 THE BEAUTIES.OF DR. WATTS. his parents ; nor will, the very light of»na-— ture fuffer him to depart from.thes , but up- on the cleareft judgment of . his.own mature reafon, a thorough and impartial {earch i into the’ fubjeét, the loud inward dictates of | his confcience, and, the full, saat of his P* rents miftake. . So wanton and Ticentious ; a fpitit bas pot: feffed:fome of the youth of the nation, that they never think they have freed themfelves _ from the prejudices of their education, till they have thrown off almoft all the yokes of reftraint that are Jaid upon them by God or ~ man. © Some take a petulent pride in laying afide the holy {eriptures, for the fame reafon, that Timothy was adviled to “ continue in “them,” and that is, becaufe “ they have * learned and known them, from their very” ** childhood,” 2 Zam. i. 15. And fome, pethaps, have been laughed out of their Chriftianity, left it thould be faid, their ‘mo-. thers and heir nuries bad made them fbi, tians. bs Heretofore the fons were fie faffered to %e be abfent from home an hour, without ex- prefs leave, till they were arrived at the age of man,.nor daughters till they were married; now both fexes take an unbounded licence of roving where they pleafe, and from a do- vd zen years old, they forget to afk leave to. wander or to vifit where their. ‘fancies lead a them ; at firft the aici ses wieale and, a a . O in oy an 7 { . { “a 4. eg ~ THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTs. 181 winks at if, ‘and then’ the child ‘Claims’ it as his due tor ever. In’ fhort) the lat age thught mankind to weneve! that they were mere children, and treated thems fuch, till they were near thirty years old ; but the’prefent gives them leave to fancy them{=Ives complete men and women at twelve and fifteen ;‘and they accordingly _ judge arid *nianage for themifelves ’ ‘entirely, and tod “often ‘depile all’ advice of their elders.” “Now though it be fificiently evident that both thefe are extremes of liberty or reftrainc, yet if we judge-by the reaton of things, or by experience and ‘{uccefs, furely the ancient education isto be preferred betore the prefent, and of the two fhouid rather be ‘choien. = FOS TSO OMS ron Pr. 290. P : rs re > . er 4 : «> ng *.T% 7 PH tr ar Bryer rs “EXTREMES OF LIBERTY AND des TO. “si BE “AVOIDED IN THE EDUCATION . OF YOUTH BUT fier al j is theretaer bai al Pe tween thefe two extremes, excefs of con- finement, and excefs of liberty ? May not young undeérftandings be allowed to fhoot _and {pread themfelves a little, phe grow- 482 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. ing rank and rampant? May not wel be kept in due and gentle bin tothe parents, without putting yokes of bondage. on them ? Is there no: reafonable seienint oF thé wild opinions, and violent inclir of youth, without making chains for prions derftanding, and throwing fetters on the foul ?- May not the young géntleman begin to. act like a man, without forgetting that he is a fon? and maintain the full liberty of his. own judgment without infolence and con; ' tempt of the opinions of his elders? May not he who is bred up a proteftant and a Chriftian judge freely for himfelf without the pr chess of his education, and yet continue hriftian and a Proteftant ftill ? Is it net pofiible for the parent to indulge, and the child to enjoy a juft liberty, and yet neither encnurage nor practife a wild licentioufnefs > Yes furely ; and there have been» inftances in the laft age, and there are fome in this, both of parents and children, oy have learned to tread this middle path, found wifdom and virtue inion d pea Agathus has bred his fon up t fuch dif cipline, as renders them both proper exam ples to the world: ST ME oes: cds he 5: 52 ; Ratt _ Paseo bss 1206, i fal My Fate Tih Xs 4 THE BEAUTIES OP DR.WATTS. 183 ‘oo THE END OF TIME REV. x. s, 6. “ And the angel which f *< {aw ftand upon the fea, and upon the earth, «lifted up his iiand to heaven, and {ware ** by him that liveth for ever and ever, that there fhall be time no longer.” This is“ the oath and folemn fentence of a mighty angel who came down from heaven, and by the defcription of him in the firft verfe, he feems to be the ‘‘ Angel of God’s prefence, “ in whom is the mame of God,” even our Lord Jefus Chrift himfelf, who ‘pronounced and iware that * Time fhould be no long- «er ;” for all feafons and times are now put into his hand, together with the book of his Father's decrees, Rev. v. 7, 9. What fpe- cial age or period of time in this world the prophecy refers to, may not be fo eafy to deter- mine ; but this is certain, that it may be hap- pily applied to the period of every man’s life ; for whenfoever the term of our conti- nuance in this world is finifhed, ‘* our time” in the prefent circumftances and {cenes that at- tend it “ fhall be no more :” we fhall be fwept off the ftage of this vifible ftate into an unfeen and eternal world : eternity comes upon us at once, and all that -we enjoy, all that we do, and all that we fuffer in “* time, fhall be no “ more,” . WORL® TG COME, P. 108. * + 184 THE, BEAUTIES on pa, warts, The moment ‘is haftening y : this mighty angel who manages the asia , the kingdom of . providence, fall qi! concerning every unbelievin and impenitent finner, hee the * time ff offered pee aa “be no longer, the time of pao id and “ race and reconciliation fhall be ge el a the found of this mercy reach t the re- gions of the dead ; thofe who die bet re they are reconciled, they die-under the’ load ' their fins, and mult -pétifh for ever; withot the leaft hope or glimple of reconciling » forgiving grace. WORLD TO ete r. 1. u pas Tye "EVERY boar lige said ‘hi or given you to prepare for dying, and ve'a fou if you,were but apprized of the w own fouls, you would better know e WO! of days and hours, and of every paffing mo-— ment, for they are given to fe ure yo immortal intereft, and fave a foul ft everlafting mifery. And you we lous and importunate inthe’ the man of God, upon a medita * the fhortnefs ‘ar life, Pfal. x xe. — “ So “teach tis toundmber. Ou days as te : ‘ our hearts to wildom,” ve e. So tez PRE BEAUTIES OF DR, WATTS. 9185 g nfider how few and uncertain our days are, hat' we may be truly wife in preparing for e end of them. » At is.a matter of vaft importance to be ever ready for the end of time, ready to hear this awful fentence confirmed with the 3 a 8 of the glorious angel, that time fhalt | ‘noylonger.” Ehe terrors or the com- ore of a.dying bed depend upon it + the .folemn.and deciftve voice of judgment de- apa ‘upon it: the joys and the forrows of a jong eternity depend upon it : go now, care- re finer, and in the wiew of fach h things as. hele, go and. trifle away. time as you haye "done betore ; time, that invaluable treafure : : go and venture the lof of your fouls, and the hopes of heayen and your eternal, hap- : pioels,.1 in, wafting away the remnanto hours fl moments of life : but remember the aw- ful_yaice.of the. angel is haftening towards you, and the found is is jul breaking upon you, that « time foal be no longer.’ ~ ) ST ee ae 4) WORED wo COME, ?, a5. fei)’ ( Fas 2 : : t 2 ye :PmE CHURCH - YARD. WHAT | aoumber of hillocks of Geath, Serve all round ust!’ Wh are the tomb~ ; Q 3 a y \ Sa vegies £2 at , - wee ee FY ’ ie | : b 186 THE BEAUTIES OF} QR warts. EY ftones, but “memorials ‘of the nhabita hts uF that town, to inform us of the period of ‘all their lives, and ta point out the day when it was {aid to each of them, “ Your time ‘thal * be no longer.” ©, may T ‘readily learn this important leffon, that my turn is haften- ing to ; fuch a little hillock fhall thortly _ rife for me in fome unknown fpot of ground, it fhall cover'this flefh and thefe bones of mine in darknefs, and fhall hide them from” the light of the fun, and from the fight of | man till the heavens be no more. Perhaps fome kind furviving friend may. engrave my name, with the number of my days, upon a plain funeral ftone, without or- nament, and below envy: there fhall my tomb ftand among the reft as a frefh monu-— ment of the frailty of nature and the end of time. It is poffible fome friendly teot | aoe: } now and then vifit the place of “my repofe. and fome tender eye may bedew the cold memorial with a tear : one or another of my old acquaintance may poffibly attend there to learn the filent lecture of mortality . from my gsave-ftone, which my lips are now preaching aloud to the world: and if re and forrows fhould reach fo far, perhaps while his foul is melting in his eye-ld: and his voice fcarce finds an “atterance, he will point with his finger, and thew his com A nion the month and the day of my difeafe. O, that folemn, that awful day, which se fin | a 1 - treme limits of i innocence. THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 187 _ my appointed time on earth, and put a final ' period to all the defigns of my heart, and all the labours of my tongue and pen ! Think, O my foul, that while friends or ftrangers are engaged on that fpot, and read- ing the date of my departure hence, thou wilt be fixed under a decifive and unchan- geable fentence, rejoicing in the rewards of time well-improved, or fuffering the longer forrows which fhall attend the abufe of it, in an unknown world of happinefs or mifery. WORLD TO COME, P. 129; Po en a a ern ae oamtcnee a et ac > Be ee GUILT lta. INNOCENCE, DANGER of guilt Rtands near the ex- WORLD TO SOME, F. 177, THE DANGER OF LATE REPENTANCE. IT is a wife and i{t obfervation among Chriftians, though it is a very common One, that the fcriptures give us ove inftance of a penitent faved in his dying-hour, and that is the thief upon the crofs, that fo none might 188 THE BEAUTIES uiterly, defpair ; ; but th ey ftance’ given, that none ‘The a. ‘ot repentance is too important a thi , to guors of a dying bed, « -flutterings of thou ug . late, conviction. -effectual proofs ¢ given at repentings : and I am verily’ per! are few of them Ruceet ; for w fren found. thefe violent eerie ns onlcie nee vanifh again, if the finner ha hap Dene tor recover his health: they feem to be met the wild perplexities and frugales of n averfe'to mifery,rather than a renouncing their former Jufts on ders of hell and deftruction, is. the vehement efforts of a drow: conflrained to let moft, and taking eager Pode r ty, rather than the ‘ce and voluntary defigns of a. fakes his ear bf joys, ventures | pand-fet venly country. I never will efforts.and endeavours. -defpei the grace of God, which» is but i can give very little enco hope to.an hour or two, o and tumultuous penitence, o of damnation. eu Judas 1 ep) agonies. of foul huiried iain I Ve THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 189 death, “‘ that he might go to his own place :” and there is abundance of -fuch kind; of té- pénting, in every corner,of hell; that is a_ deep-and dreadful pit, .whence! there is ‘no tedemption, though there are millions of fuch fort of penitents ; it 1s.a ftrone@ and dark jprifon, where no beam of comfort ever fhines, where bitter. anguifh aad.-mourning for fins, paft, is. no, evangelical “repentance; ‘ but everlafting and hopelets forrew. 5 !WORL@ “TO COME, P. 198. » -/"“WANITY ENSCRIBED ON ‘ALL THINGS. : o a4 y a¢ ¥ 14” 7 7 - sa eat ~ < : > aa TIMI, like a long flowing ftream, makes hafte into eternity, and is forever loft and fwallowed up there; and while it is haften- ing to- its period, it fweeps away all things with it which are not immortal. There ts a limit appointed by Providence, to the du- ration of all the pleafant and defirabledcenes - _of life, to all the works of the hands of men, with all.the glories and excellencics’ of ani= mal nature, and all that is made of fichh and blood. Let us not doat upon any thing here below, for heaven hath infcribed-yanity up- on it.) The moment is hafteningwhen the decree of heaven fhall be uttered, aad Pro- * 190 THE BEAUTIES OF eed videnice fhall pronounce upon “every og the earth, “ Ic’s time fhall be tio Jonger.” _ © What is that ftately building, that rit wy palace, which now entertains and amufes fight with ranks of- marble “cohimas,” ae wide fpreading arches, that gay edifice which - enriches our imagination with a thoufand roy- al ornaments, and:a profufion of coftly a glittering furniture? Time and allits circling _ hours, with a fwift wing are brufhing it away, — decay fteals upon it infenfibly, and a few years hence it fhall lie in mouldering ruin and defolation. Unhappy poffetior, if he has _ no better inheritance ! ~ What are thofe fine and elegant gardens, thofe delightful walks, thofe gentle afcents, and foft declining flopes, which raife and fink» the eye by turns to a thouland vegetable pleafures ? How lovely” are t ; OF Emin ders, and thofe growing ¥ and fruit, which 4 recal loft pa af: ad Thofé living parterres which Te e fen with vital fragrancy, and make. glad the fighi by their refrefhing verdure and. inte rmingled flowery beauties ? The feythe of time. is’ paffing ,over them all: they, with r, they die away, they drop and » h into duft ; their duration is {hort ; a few. months deface all their yearly glories, and wi thin a few years, — perhaps all thefe rifing terras-walks, the ec 4 gentle verging declivities, fhall lofe all ord and elegance, and become oi heap ot. | on f THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 191 ruins; thofe well-diftinguifhed borders and parterres fhall be levelled in confufion, and thrown into common earth again, for the ox and afs to graze upon them. _ Unhappy man, who poffefles this agreeable {pot of ground, if he has no paradife more, durable than this ! And no wonder that thefe labours of the hands of men fhould perifh, when even the works of God are perifhable. o What are thefe vifible heavens, thefe low- er fkies, and this globe of earth ! they are indeed the glorious workmanfhip of the Al- mighty. But they are waxing old, and wait- ing their period too, when the angel fhall pronounce upor them that “time fhall be “no more.” The heavens ‘ fhall be fold- “ed up as a vefture, the elements of the *¢ lower world fhall melt with fervent heat, <¢ and the earth and all the works thereof; « fhall be burnt with fire.’ May the un- ruinable world be but my portion, and the heayen of heavens my _ inheritance, which is built for an eternal manfion for the fons-of God: thefe buildings thall out-live time and nature, and exift through unknown ages of felicity ! ye What have we mortals to be proud of in -our prefent ftate, when every human glory is fo fugitive a fading ? Let the brighteft and the beft of us fay to ourfelves, that we are but duft and vanity. a eS as Mig we 192 .THE BEAUTIES seen Is my body formed | ‘upon a del? Are my limbs well turned, < complexion better coloured than my mn bouts’? Beauty evenin perfection is of fhort- . eft date ; a few yearsiwill stan me that its” bloom vanifhes, its flower withers, ‘its Juftre grows dim, its duration fhall be ‘io longer 5” and if life be prolonged, yet the pride-and — glory of it is for ever loft in age wrinkles: or perhaps our vanity “meets 4 fpecdier fate. Death and the grave with a fovereign and irreftible command, farmmen the brighteft as well'as the coarfeft pieces of human nature, to lie down eafly’in theit cold embraces ; and at laft they muftall mix: to- gether among wornis and corruption... the deformed, and Helena ‘the fair, are loft and undiftinguifhed in. commion earth.’ ‘Na-_ ture in its gayeft bloomer but a pai ted vanity. PREF a wf aire Are my nerves well (fran and vigorous ? Is my. activity and ftrength far fuperior tc my neighbours in the day of Birt But » youth hath its appointed limit): doef fleals — upon it, unftrings the Erves, pee ees force of them Janeuith into infirmity and fee blenefs. Sampfon and Goliah would have | boafted advantages of | Maar nd 8 brawny limbs, in the'courfe of he though the one had efcaped thel@ing § vid, and the other the vengeance of | THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 195° hands in the ruin of Dagon’s temple. Man in his beft eftate i is a flying fhadow and van- nt Even thofe nobler powers of human life, which feem to have fommething angelical in “them, I inean the powers of wit and fancy, gay imagination and capacious memory, they are all fubject to the fame laws of decay and ‘death. What though they can raile and an- imate beautiful {ents in 4 moment, and in imitation of creating power, can {pread bright "appearances and new worlds before the fenfes’ and the fouls of their friends? What thongh they can entertain the better part of man- kind, the refined and polite world with high “delight and rapture? Thefe fcenes of rap- turous delight, grow flat and old by a fre- quent review, afd the very powers that railed them grow feeble apace, What though they _¢an give immortal applaufe and fame to their * poffeffors ! It is but the immortality of an .empty name, a mere fucceffion of the breath of men ; and it is a fhort fort of immortali- ty too, which muft die and perifh when th’s world perifhes. “A poor fhadow of duration mdeed, while the real period of thefe powers is haftening every day ; they languifh and _die as faft as animal nature, which has a large | fhare ia them, makes hafte to its decay; and. - the time of their exercife fhall fhortly be no more. » cfr! 194 THE BEAUTIES OF PR. WATTS. a In vain the aged poet or the painter, w call up the mufe and penius of their . and fummon all the arts of their i im sin to {pread and drefs out fome vific In vain the elegant orator would 1 | bold and mafterly figures, and all tho: ae ery images which gave ardour, grace and dig- nity to his younger compofures, and charmed | every car: they are gone, they are fled be- yond the reach of their owner’s call : their time is paft, they are vanifhed and loft bed yond all hope of recovery. ‘ The God of nature has pronounced an un> ‘ paffable period, upon all the powers and pleaf- _ ures and glories of this mortal ftate. Let us then be afraid to make any of them our boaft _ | or our happinefs ; but-point our affections to thofe diviner objeéts whofe nature is ever- | lafting ; let us feek thofe religious attain- ments, and thofe new-created powers of ae fanctified mind, concerning which it fhall never be pronounced that their “ time 2 ge ** be no longer.” j ~ O may every one of us be humbly ¢ n- a tent, at the call of heaven, to part wit Pa that is pleafing or magnificent here on earth ; let us refign even thefe agreeable talents when the God of nature demands ; and when the hour artiyes, that fhall clofe our eyes to all _ wifible things, and lay our flefhly ftructure i m : the duft ; let us yield up out whole felyes the hands of our creator, who fhall r re c THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 195 _ our fpirits with himfelf; and while we cheer- fully give up all that was mortal to the grave, we may lie down full of the joyful hope of a _rifing immortality. New and unknown pow- ers and glories, brighter flames of imagina- tion, richer fcenes of wit and fancy, and di- viner talents are preparing for us when we fhall awake from the duft ; and the mind it- felf fhall have all its faculties in a fublime ftate of improvement. Thefe fhall make us equal, if not fuperior, to angels, for we are nearer a kin to the Son of God than they are, and therefore we fhiall be made more like him. — ; POSTHUMOUS WORKS, FP. 1274. . OF PRAYER. PRAYER isa fecret and appointed means to obtain all the bleffings that we want, wheth- er they relate to this life, or the life to come ; and fhall we not know how to ufe the means God hath appointed for our happinefs ? Shall fo glorious a privilege lic unimproved through ~ our own neglect ? Were the bufinefs of prayer nothing eife but to come and beg mercy of God, it would be the duty of every man to know how to~ draw up fuch petitions : but prayer isa work 196 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS, of much larger extent. When comes before Ged, he hath! im ich 1 to | jay than merely to beg. He ed bs, Goa | what a fenle he hath of the divine attr and what high efteem he pays to his fajefty, his wifdom, his power, and. his. mercy. He talks with him about the works of creation, and ftands wrapt.up in wonder. He talks about the grace and myftery of redemption, and.is yet more filled with admiration and © joy. He talks of all the affairs of nature, — gtace, and glory ; he {peaks of his. works of providence, of loud and vengeance, in this - ~and the future world. Infinite and glorious © ‘are the iubjects of this holy communion be- — tween God and his faints : and fhall we con- tent ourfelves with fighs and groans, and a few fhort wifhes, and deprive ‘our fouls of fo © tich, fo divine, fo glorious a pleafure, for want of knowing how tov brass out fuch — —_— P =——~ guage. 3k RS How excellent a valuables tk this fi of prayer, in comparifon ofthe many meaner arts and accomplifhments,of human pee ea : that we labour night and day to obtain ? What toil do men daily undergo for feven years together, to acquire the knowlec a trade and bufinefs in this prefent life. the greateft part of the butinefs between sus! and heavenis tranfacted in the way of prayer: with how’ much: more cigs fhould we. THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 197 feck the knowledge of this heavenly com- merce, than any thing that concerns us mere- ly on earth ? How many years of our fhort life are {pent to learn the Greek, the Latin; and the French tongues, thatave may hold correfpondence abroad among the ste | na- tions, and converfe with the writings of the dead ?. And fhall not the language wherein we converfe with heaven and the living God, ~ be thought worth-equal pains ?. How nicely do fome perfonstudy the art of converfations that they: may. be accepted in all companies; and {hare in: the favour of men? ‘Is not the fame canerduc, to feek all methods of accept+ ance with God, that we may approve our- felves in his prefence ? What a high value is fet;vpo human: oratory, or the art.of per= fuafion; whereby. we are. fitted to difeourfe' and prevail with: our fellow'creatures ? » And is this art of divine oratory of ho efteein with: us, Which teaches us to utter our inward: breathings of the foul, and plead and prevail with eur Creator, through the, affiftance of the Holy eae? gand ay mediation of our: Lord: Jcfus ? O, let the: ‘eeadloutiys aro igh value of: this gitt of prayer engage ourearnefine!s andi endeavours in proportion to. its fuperior dig- nity: ler us * govet the beft of gifts” with) the warmeft defire, and pray for them) with ard:nt fupplication,:s Cari xu. 183. § loach 2 ites RS ee ae 198 THE BEAUTIES OF DRY WATTS. Another argument may be borrowed from our very character and profeffiomas chriftians 5 fome meafure of the gift of prayer is of great “neceffity and univerfal lest! ahebat ne call- ed by the name. i Shall we profefs to be talkie af: Chrift, ' and not know hew to {peak to the Father ? Are we commanded. to pray always, and up- on all occafions, to be conftant and fervent in it, and fhall we be contented with ignorance and incapacity to obey this command? Are we invited by the warmeft exhortations, and - encouraged by the higheft hopes to draw near to God with all our wants and forrows, and fhall we not learn to exprefs thofe wants, and pour out thofe forrows before the Lord? Is. there a way made for our accefs tothe throne by the blood and interceffion of Jefus Chrift, . and fhall we not know how to form a:prayer to be fent to heaven, and fpread before the . throne by his glerious interceffion ? ITs his — -holy Spirit promifed to teach us to pray fhall a chriftian be» carelefs or unwilling to receive fuch divine teachings ? bo x. There is not any faculty in “the fe he chriftian life that is called out into fo frequent exercife as this; and it isa moft unhap thing to be always at a lols to perform t pea work which daily neceffity requires, and daily duty demands. © Will a perfon profef§ to be a {cholar, that cannot read ? Shall any man pretend to bea minifter, that cannot preach ? THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 199 And it is but a poor pretence we make to chriftianity, if we are not-able, at leaft in fe- ~~ cret, to {upply ourfelves with a few medita- tions or expreffions, to continue a little in this work of prayer. . is GUIDE TO PRAYER, P. 199. DEGENERACY OF HUMAN NATURE: . LET us further fuppofe, what is fuffici- ently evident to. our daily obfervation and experience, that all mankind are now a de- ’ generate, feeble, and unhappy race-of beings, that we are become finners in the fight of - God, and expofed to his anger : it is mani- feft enough, that this whole world is a fallen, finful and rebellious province of God’s do- minion, and under the a¢tual difpleafure of its righteous Creator and Governor. The over-{preading deluge of folly and error, ini- quity and milery, that covers the face of the earth, gives abundant ground for fuch a fup- pofition. The experience of every man on earth affords a {trong and melancholy proof, that our reafoning powers are eafily led away ‘into iniflake and taifhood, wretchedly bribed and biafied by-prejudices, and daily overpow- ered by*fome corrupt appetites or paffions, and our wills led aftray to choole evil inftead eee ry es.) 200. THE BEAUTIES OP, DR WARTS of, good. The beft of - us " the laws of our Maker, by coating y the rules of piety and virtue which our own ' fon and coni{eiences iiget:th ee unis Eheee is : - “* none righteous” -perfectly 5 .“* no not one.” Nor is there. one perfon upon earth free from | troubles and difficulties, and, pains and for- rows, fuch as teflify fome refentment of our 4 Maker. + Even from our infancy,.our, ani nate _ and forrows begin, and itis very. remarkably 7 evident in fome families, that thefe pains and, | difeafes are propagated to the offspring, as. they were contracted by the vices of the par ents : and particular vicious prthbaceions aa | well as particular diftempers, are conve from: parents to children fometimes. thr feveral generations.. The beft of us arc free from irregular propenfities and pafi even in the younger parts of life, and _ years advance, our fins break.ou tinue more or le{s through all our. whole race then is plainly degeaer and guilty before God, and, are | tokens of his: anger, iii STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUM. REASON, , ne Oe oe THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 201 in this world, there fhall be the fame variety of the degrees of punifhment in the world'to come. Every man fhall be judged according to the advantages he enjoyed. More is re- quired from thofe whofe advantages were greater, and their” guilt is more heinous in - abufiag of ‘népiecting tein. “God, thea knowing and the righteous, will weigh every eircumftance, both of his favours and of our ufe or abufe of them, in the niceft balance, and his fentence fhall bear an exact propor- tion to the demerits of every finner. ‘* He “that knew not his mafter’s -will, thall be “* beaten but with few ftripes,”’ in compari- fon with thofe criminals who knew it, and fought againft it.. Suppofe therefore that the punithment of thefe rudeft: and moft ftu= pid nations upon the earth, in the future world, thall be exceedingly {imall, in propor- tion to the very {mall degrees of light. and knowledge which they have enjoyed, or which have lain fairly and practically within their reach 5 will not this greatly relieve the difi- . culty Fr ‘ And if even thefe lighteft punithments which fhall be affigned to the moft ignorant part of the Heathen world, fhould be thought fomething fevere, yet none can be thought utterly unjuft, if, as was before obferved, none are punifhed, but for acting in fome meafure again{t the light of their own minds. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUMAN REASON, P. 278. © ee % 202 ‘THE BEAUTIES oF oth con ‘ 4 ean ) ee! mt i aie Se THE RAKE REFORMED IN aca epi ING. ne FLORINO was young ‘and idle; “ye roe him(elf up to all the diverfions of th comrade and roved wild among the pleafures of fenfe 5 nor did he confine himfelf within the limits _ of virtue, or withhold his heart from any for-. bidden joy. Often hath he been heard to. ridicule mafriage, and affirm th; t no man - can mourn heartily for a dead wife, for then — he hath leave by the law to choofe a new com- panion, to riot in all the gayer fcenes of a new courtfhip, and perhaps: to advance ‘his fortune too. ree When he heard of the death “¢ Well, faid he, I will go vifit my mk 2 clus, and rally him a little on “ fion.” He went the next day in wantonnefs. of his heart to fulfil his inhuman and barbarous as it was, and t “with folemn forrow. But when I peared, the man of gaiety was ftrang prifed, he faw fuch a fincere and inimitable ~ diftrefs fitting on his countenance, and ifs i covering itfelf in every air and aCtion, that he dropt his cruel purpofe, his foul began to melt, and he affumed the comforter. Florino’ s methods of confolation. were all drawn from two topics : oe sae ar THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTY 203 neceffity, advifing an heroic indolence about unavoidable events, which are paft and can- not be reverfed ; and fome were derived from the various amufements of life which call the foul abroad, and divide and {fcatter the thoughts, and fuffer not the mind to attend to its inward anguifh. <‘ Come, Lucius, * faid he, come, {mooth your brows a little « and brighten up for an hour or two : come « along with me to a concert this evening «< where you fhall hear fome of the beft pie- “ ces of mufic, that were ever compofed, and ** performed by fome of the beft hands that * ever touched an inftrument.. To-morrow « J will wait on you to the play, or, if you « pleafe to the new opera, where the icet are fo furprifing and fo gay, they would al- ~ « moft tempt an old hermit from his belov- << ed cell, and call back his years to three « and twenty. Come, my friend, what have «< the living to do with the dead ?. Do but “forget your grievances a little, and they € will die too : come, fhake off the fpleen, *¢ divert your heart with the entertainments “¢ of wit and melody, and call away your fan- “ cy from thefe gloomy and ufelefs contem- «¢ plations.” Thus he ran on in his own way of talking, and opened to his mourning friend the beft {prings of comfort that he was ac- guainted with. Lucius endured this prattle as long as he was able to endure it, but it had no manner ~ \ af: inflaence to Aaonelh: tl or to abaté his fmartin: waxed more intenfe byt ‘a tions, and the grief fapne £ éontain itfelf, a ’ ‘leo | then ned ea re ferved not any of the’ rules Pie eg or juft | decency, but placed himfelf near: encugh to “tiften ‘how the: paffion ‘took its: vent: + u “there he heard the diftreffed Lucius t lov - ing over Serena’ s death in faeh: langua this. » What did Hingak talk abaiat and fate? Alas, this is Reg i ae painfel an event eannot” be revert divine will ‘has made it fate, an I “Plays anJ malic and oper oe trifles are thefe to give eafe to a. heart ! ! ) toa gee that has loft waits under eh a keen partir the long, long abfence of my $ gone.—The cefire of my eyes an of my foul is gone-—The firlt comforts and the beft of mortal She is gone, and fhe has taken that was pleafant, ail that could gloomy hours of life, that could’ foften cares 5 ie relieve’ the burdens of i Oe ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DRuWATTS. 205 gone, and the beft portion‘and joy of my life. as departed.. Will he never return, never ome back and blefs my-eyes again ? No; never, never.—She will no more come back to vifit this wretched ‘world, and to dry thefe weeping eyes. That beft portionof my life, that deareft blefi ing” is gone, ard will return mo more. Sorrows in, long fucceffion await athe while hive all my future daysare mark- sed out for grief. and-darkne(s. . ~ -Let the man, who feels no inward pain at the lofs of fuch a partner, drefs his dwelling — an black fhades.and difmal formalities:: let him draw the curtains of darknefs around | dam and teach his chambers a fafhionable ~ Shieening but real anguifh of heart -needs mone of thefe modifh and diffembled forrows. My foul is hung round with dark images im all her apartments, and every fcene.is fincere Jamentation anc death. : I thought once I had. fore pretences te the courage of a man: -but this isa feafon -ofuntried diftre: I.now fhudder at athought, | ftart at fhadows, my fpirits are funk, and horror has taken hold of me. I feel paffions in me that were unknown. before.; love has its own proper grief and its peculiar anguith. Mourning love has:thofe agenies and thofe finkings of {pirit which are known only to bereaved and virtuous’ lovers. 206 THE BEAUTIES i ke T ftalk about like a ghoft in mufing fi | till the gathering forrow too t sheart and burfts out peas i. wailings. Strange and’ ng ftr indeed! It has melted all’ the: man ‘wi me down to foftnefs: tech atime ack to childhood again : I would maintain the dignity of my age andy fex, but thefe eyes. rebel and betray me ; the eyelids arev full, they overflow ; the drops of love and: ~~ Arickle down my cheeks, and plow the "sows of age there before theiritime... How often in a day are thefe fluices open- ed afreth ? The fight of every friend that. -knew her calls up my we. ssand betrays amy frailty, Jam Hea of myfelf. What thall Ido? Js there nothing of man- ‘hood left about my heart ?» I will refift the paffion, I will pi with nature, I will grow indolent and forbid) my tears. Alas, poor feeble sitetche that Iam 4. ftruggle ; in vain Trefit: the. Aolence vanifhes ; the real paffion in, it {wells and bears down all b torrent rifes and prevails hour: ie” -will have its way. Ewen the Son of God | when he became man, was found : weepin at the tomb ofa darliag” friend. . ieeaaioe and Jefus wept. O my foul, what thall I do to relieve this. sheart-ach ? How hall I cure this. pai 7 fenfibility ? Is there no opiate will teach it. . s | THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 20} - Whither thall I goto leave my forrows be~ hind me? [ wander from one room to ano- - ther, and wherever I go I Gill feem. to feck her, but) E. mifssher ftil. .. My imagination rs rs me with her lovely image, and tempts: o doubt, is fhe dead indeed ? My fond ination: would fain forget her death-bed,. and impofe upon my hope that I thall find her fomewhere.. 1 vifit her apartment, F fteal:into her clofet-:.in days paft. when ¥ have miffed her in the parlour, how ofterr have I found the dear creature in that beloy- ed: corner of the houfe, that fweet place of divine retitement.and converfe with heaven ¥ But even'taat cloiet is empty now. I go thither, and) retire ia aappositeniay? anc confofion. © » «x Methinks I fhould meet her in foci of her walks, ' in) fome of her family cares, OF her innocent amufenignts.: I fhould fee her face, methinks, I ha hear her .voice and exchange a tender word-or two.—Ah foolifl rovings of a diftreffed and: difquieted fancy ! Every room:is empty and filent . clofet, par- lours,. chambers, all empty, all filent ; and that’ very filence and emptinefs proclaim my forrows =, even emptinels and. deep filence’ _ join to! confefs the painful Jofs, : Shall. I try. then to put her quite out of my thoughts, fiace fhe will come to no more within the reach of my fenfes? Shall I Joofer: _ the fair picture and drop it from my _heart,. ‘§ _ Yet ftay. a little thereytem in that tender part of ma: O rt inhappy we Thy prefence painful’? A, difmal chang: deed ! When thou wert wont to arife a thew thyfelf there, graces andj ' to arife and’ thew themfelves :. ver appear without sine hat dark-and “te er day that {pread the vail oF death over her : but her image dreft im that: loon vail bath loft all che attendant joys and grace Let her picture vanith from rat al th fince it has loft shefe endearing atter fet it vanilh away into forgetiy hath robbed it of fee very joy. me-_once more furvey thee r>ftay a li tle: mo- ment,.and let-me take one lafb glance, foleaan farewell. Is there not the refemblance of her too it quite banifhed from my" heart my. foul at-work to try. to forget’! deal fo unkindly with one who-wo A have forgotten:me ? Canomy fo pet vit out her imageon it ? media ftamp emer t ever to be effaced? > _ Methinks I feel all my: heart ree ae ae THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 1a around her, and grow fo faft to that dear picture in my fancy, they feem to be rooted there. To be divided from it is to die. Why. fhould I then purfue io vain and fruitle(s an “attempt ? What ?:forget-myfelf ? forget my _ dife? No ; it cannot be ;. nor can-I bear to— think of fuch aude and cruel treatment of an image fo much deferving and fo much be-- loved. Neither paffion nor realon permits: me to forget her, nor is it’within, my power. - She is prefent almoft toy all my- thoughts :- fhe-is with me. in all my: motions ;. grief has arrows with her name upon them,.that flick. -as faft and as deep-as thofe of love 5 they ~ cleave to my vitals wherefover I'go, but with- a quicker fenfation and a keener pain: Alas- it is love and grief together-thathave fhot all! their arrows into my heart, and filled every’ vein with acute anguifh and long diftrefs. — - Whether then fhalli fly to find folace and? eafe ? I cannot depart from miyfelf : I'can-- not abandon thefe tender and imarting fenfa-- tions, Shall 1 quit. the loufe and all the: apartments of it-which renew her dear me- - gnory ? Shall I rovein thefe-open fields which lie near: my: dwelling, and fpread wide their pleafing verdure ? Shall I give my foul a Joofe to all nature that-fmiles around me, or” fhall I: confine: my daily walk to this fhady and delight*ul garden ?. Oh, no :: neither of thef- w:ll relieve my-anguifh. Serena has: wo often ee with her-company both» - aes * rf 7 970 THE BEAUTIES «Ale: in this garden-and in thefe fields. » Her-very name feems written on every tree: I »thall. think of her and fancy fee herin every ftep » - Kitake.. Here the preft the graf with’ her feet, here the gathered’ violets and rofes and’ refrefhing herbs.and:gave the.lovely colle&tion of {weetnefs into my hand: But alas, the fweeteft: violet: and the faireft rofe-is fallen, 4s withered, and is.no.more. Farewell then,, ye fields and gardens, with. alt your varieties - of green-and flowery joys! Yeoare allade- fert, a barren’ wildernefs, fince Serena bas- pt ever left. you. and will.be in iit no» Yep can friends do. noite spain ae mourner?. Come, my wife friends, furround. me and divert my cares with your. agreeable - converfation. ‘Can books pattern tg Gome, my. books, ye volumes of knox ye labours of: the learned dead 3 com il up my hours with fome foothing amufe+ ment. Iicall my:better friends about meee: fly to the-heroes and the- philofophers of’ an- cient ages to. employ my. foul amo aaon But alas !- neither learning: nor me, nor green and {miling prifeliy of nature — delight me, nor converfation with: my wifeft and beft: friends.can entertain me in:thefe~ dark and melancholy hours:» “Solitude, foli--. tude in. {ome unfeen. corner, fome | | grotto, overgrown with fhades, this: is my deareft choice ;. Jet me mes wihies — THE BEAUTIES OF DRVWATTS, 2TR ‘folitude where none “fall come near! me*;: midnight and folirude are the moft pleafing ‘ things to a man who is weary of day-light . and of all the fcenes of this vifible and buf world. I would eat ‘and drink and dwell ak “Tone,” though this lonefome humour! fooths © ‘and gratifies the painfalpaffions, and ‘gives. — ~ me up tothe tyranny of my tharpeft forrows. Strange mixture that k am made of! FE mourn and’ grieve even to deathyand> yet L feem Kr of monies but 2 ief and-mourn ing. - Woe istne f Te’ there notkinen on poe’ ap ean divert, nothing relieve me * Then det my thoughts afcend to paradife and heaven, there I fhall find her better part; and grief muft not enter there... From this hour take: a new turn, O my foul, and never think of Serena but-as thining and rejoicing’ a hong the {pirits of the bleft,. and in the prefence “efi her Gods Rife-often in holy: meditation to the celeftial world, and betake thyfelf to. more intenfe piety. Devotion has wings that will bear thee high above the tumults and paftions of lower lite : devotion will: dire&. and {pted. re fli ght to a country of brighter: feenes. Shake off this earthllne of wosiidl this dute ef mortality that hangs about thee ; rife ups _ ward often:in an hour, and dveislirndinads In thofe regions whether thy devout partner is gone: thy better half is fafely arrived there, ‘gIe° THE BEAUTIES OF PRAWATTS. and that: orem knows. nothing, but joy and. love. She is gone ;. the prop and the aj e tles and Ses beft of ed» fouls. have - 4 marked out her.way to heavens bare witeel, ye apoftles and holy, prophets, ye beft of de-- parted fouls bear withefi, that’ Tl am-fecking. to tollow her.in the appointed moment. Let the wheels of nature yer tume roll on apace: in their deftined way... Jet funs and moons. arife aad fet apace, and light a-lonefome tra-_ veller onward to his home.. Blefled Jefus: !: be thoumy living leader !) Virtue; and the. track of Serena’s feet:be my daily and detight-- ful path. The track.| ward to the re-- gions of love and jopy: v can ] dare toe wander from the path of virtue leftJ loofe- that beloved track ?’ Remember, O my foul,. her foot{teps are found in no other toad. ~~ _ Hf my love to-virtue fhould ever. fail me, the fteps of my Serena would ane way, and help to fecure me from wan: mde © may the kind influences»of heaven cend from above and eftatlith and guard ious refolutions ! May the thes. cir religion be my: continual ftrength) and the hope of eternal things my never-failing-tup -- port, till Lam. difmiffed fromethis, prifon. of the fieth and called to afgend tohedpirits of: the juit made air ron dick adieus to all: that isin>t immortal, and go dwell with Gall | God.and my adored: Saviour ;. there fhall- THE. pe MOT eR OF DR. ‘WATTS. 215 find my loft Serena, again, and utc with her ’ the unutterable joys of paradife. . “3 Here Lucius threwshimfelf ‘on: «the couch: and lay filet in profound meditation, ©.” » When Florinos had heard all: this mourn- ful: rhapfody,; he retired and ftole.away-in fe- cret, for he was now utterly afhamed of his. firft barbarous defign.: He: felt a» fort of ' flrange fympathy of forrow, fuch as he never knew before, and with it fome fparks of vir- tue began to kindle in his bofom. As’ he mufed, the fire burat within, andat. laft-it made its way to his. lips and -vented: itfelf. ‘© Well, faid he, E have learnt two excellent: leflons tod Th thall never for* ‘pet thems. “"Dihere mutt be fome-.vattiand * unknown’pleafure in a virtuous! love be * yond: all the madnefs of wiid:and tranfient amours ; otherwi(e the lof of the objeé& _‘eould never have wrought fuch deep and unfeigned woe'in-a foul fo firm! and-man-. “jy as that. of Lucius. I begim now to be» heve owhat -Miltca fang, though I always “read the lines pees - as mere. © poely anc fable,” ch Hail wedded love, myfterious law, irve fource Of human offspring, fole propriety: i 2t¥tie >? lw Paradife, of all things common elfe.: ae By thee adulterous luft was driv'n from mer — Among the beftial berds to range: by thea: . Founded in reafon, loyal, iyh, and. pute 214 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. vee Relations dear, and a!) the charities Of father, fon.and- brother, fir a Perpetual fountain of domeftic fweets.' « Here love bis golden Soaps loys; bere ghts His confant lamp, and waves bis pir ple wing Reigns here and revels':. not in the bought | Of barlots, lovelefs, joylefs, unindear'd,) ~ Cafual amours, mixt dance, or wayton:imafk hs r Or veil ball, Sa. in qian’ Sig ps et: pe a3 } ade rhe a Blefted poet, that could fo.ha ily “ love and virtue, and draw fo _beauti ** fcene of real hint hie ate ~ “« 5 arid Para t while I repeat them so ‘feel a ftrange new fenfation. Lam» cor * vinced the blind poet faw> deer ‘ture and: truth: hentai * ined... Fhere is, there >iss fuck» union of virtuous fouls, where bap * only ‘found. : find — pme7si * facred light rif ing U By ae pantings: within a ® fack-# ife.” Noris the other” sree us learnt at all inferior tot tf “ is of higher:and more dut tance, — « } confefs:fince I was: pobre “yeu old * never thought virtue and teligion had.been “* good for any. thing, but to. ‘fyeup 4628 ter tach apa ti THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 21g ™ from mifchief, and frighten fools : but now “* | find by the condu& of my friend Lucius, “that! as the’ fweeteit “and fincerett joys of *lifeare derived from virtue, fo the moft “ diftreffing forrows may find a juft relief in “* religion and fincere piety. Hear me, thou ** Almighty Maker of my frame, pity and “ afiift a returning wanderer, and O may thy “« hand ftamp thefe !effons upon my foul.ia “* everlafting Characters! = on o-0 + 34 Aer, POSTHUMOUS WORKS, P. 260. 4 pt. oe “BILLS OF EXCHANGE! . WHEN a rich merchart who dwells. in a foreign land afar off, commits his treafure to the hands of a banker,-it is to be drawn out in {maller fums by his fervants or his friends — here at home, as their neceffities thal! require; — and he furnifhes them with bills of exchange drawn upon his ‘banker cr treafurer, which are paid honourably to the perfon who offers the bill, according to the time when the words of the bill appoint the payment. Is 1 not poffitle to draw a beautiful alle- — gory hence to reprefent the conduct. of the 4olcfled God in his promifes of grace, without Gebafing fo divine a futject 2 fas GHG ~ 216 \:PRE SEAUTIBSOF MEW. aT God the Father, the {pring and-fountain. of all grace, dwells in regions of light anc hb Hinefs inacceffible; too. far.off for us to. con- verfe with him or receive fuppli¢s from him in an immediate way; but-he has iferit, the Son'to dwell in human name, and conftitut- ed him treafurer of all his bleffings, that’ we -might derive perpetual fupplies from his hand : he has intrufted him with all the richy- es of grace and glory 5 he:has laid ap infinite ftores of love, wildom, ftrength, rdon, peace and confolation in the hands pa Son for this very purpofe, to be drawn out thence as faft as the neceffities of his faints © «© It pleafed the Father that in « fulnels dwell... He. has req *©men.”’ Col. 4. 19. Pfal. Ixviii. 18. » Now all the promifes in the Bible, are fo ~ many bills of exchange drawn by God the Father in heaven, upon his Son Jefus ‘Chrift, and payable to every pious bearer ; that is, to every one that comes to the mercy-feat and . offers the promife for accéptance, and pleads at in a way of obedient faich amd prayer. Je- fus the high-treafurer of heaven, knows every letter of his Father’s hand-writing, and can. never be impofed upon by a forged note ; he will ever put due honour upon his Father’ 5 bills ; he accepts them all, for “all theprom- ifes in him are yea, and in him: age Tn. him they are all fure “ to the glory oe 3 Father, 2. Cor. 1, 20+ Tei is for the "Father -* ¥ P = = _ Z ¥ ‘THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 217 ‘ho ‘8 dr that his bills never fil of acceptance and payment. you apply to the bleffed Jefus and offer. him a bill of the largeft fum, a promife of the biggelt bleffings, he will never. fay, “1 have « not fo much of my Father’s treafure in my « ‘hand. For he has received all things.” “Febn isi. 35. -“ The Father Joveth the Soa. «and hath given ail things into his hand :” and may 1 not venture to fy, this whole treafure is made over to the faints, < All “things are yours,’ 1 Cer. itis 22. .And they are “parceiled out into bills of promis ‘and notes under the Father's hand. So the : _whole treafure ofa nation con&Sfts in credit “and in promiffory notes, more than in prefent 7 .fums of gold and filver. me, Some of thefe divine bills are payable at and we receive the fum as foon as we ee the bill ; (viz.) thofe that muft fupply : = our prefent wants ; fuch as <‘ call upom » “< me in the day of trouble, and I wil ddiv- °“ er thee, and thou thalt glorify me.” P/al. and there have been many examples 3 pa ipeedy payment. Pal. cvii.3. “Ia _** the day when I cried thou anfweredet me ; - z and firengthenedeft me with fizenetham .- « * my foul. A - Some are only payable i in general at adit tant time, and that 1s jcft to the dilcretion of - os the treafurer, (viz.) “* As thy day 1s, ~ “ be, Be Nae Yea Sey ms 218. THE pEAUTIES OF DR, WATTS? «© fo thy ftrength fhall be.” Dent. xxxili. 25. and we neéd never fear trufting him long, . for this bank in the hands ‘of Chrift can nev- er fail ; ** for in him dwelleth all the falnefs “< of the Godhead bodily.” Co/. ii. 9. and Eph. iii. 8. we are told of “ the unfearcha- £* ble riches of Chrift.” 4 Wis ‘Sometimes Chrift may put us off with a cow kind anfwer, or give us a note under is hand, payable at demand, in feveral par- els inftead of a full payment all at once: thus he dealt with his dear friend and fervant Paul, in 2 Cor. xii. 9. Doubtlefs Paul in his feeking the Lord thrice, for the removal of his thorn in the flefh, had pleaded feveraj~ Jarge promifes of God, had offered thofe di- vine bills to Chrift for acceptance and pay- ment ; but inftead of this our Lord gives 1 him a note under his own hand which ran in | this janguage, “‘ My grace is fufficient for * thee,” And if we had but the faith which — that bleffed apoftle had, w¢ might live upon this hope ; this would be.as goodas refent payment : for if he delay to give the full” dum, it is only becaufe he fees we have notl need of it at prefent ; he knows Sal niaeel- 4 ties better than we ourfelves ; he will not fruft us with too much at once in our hands ; but he pays us thofe bills when he fees the _ fitteft time, and we have often found if fo, < . and confeffed his faithfnlnefs, ~~ me THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 2Irg¢ _ At other times he pays us, but not in the . fame kind of mercy which is mentioned in the promife, yet in fomething more ufeful and valuable. If the promife mentions a ‘temporal bieffing, he may give us a {piritual one ; if it exprefs eafe, he may give patience = and thus his Father’s bills are always honour~ _ ed, and we have no reafon to complain. So the banker may difcharge a bill of a hundred - pound not with money, but with fach goods and merchandize as may yield us two hun- dred, and we gladly confefs the bill is well paid. Some of thefe promifes,. thefe bills of neay- enly treafure, are not made payable till the hour of our death,*as, ‘* Blefled are thofe fer- | ** vants whom when the Lord comes he fhall ~*¢ find watching,” &c. Luke xii. 37. “-He . * that endureth to the end the fame fhall be * faved.” Maif. xxiv. 13. “ Be thou faich- “ ful to the death, and I will give thee a crown « of life.” Rev. i. 10. Others are not due till the day of the ref- _urrection ; as, ‘* Fhem who fleep in Jefus *< will God bring with him.” 1 Theff iv..14:- * J will redeem them from death.” Hof xiii. 14, Col. ic 4. “ When Chnft whe is our “ life fhall appear, then. fhall ve aifo appear “with him in glory.” Pbi/. ili. 20, 21. “« He fhall change our vile body, that it may be fafhioned like unte his glorious body.” x Pet. vy. 1, 4. “ And when the chief Shep s : NGL 5 220 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. ‘WaTTs. « herd fhall appear, ye fhall ietictve a crown “ of glory that fadeth not away? 99 Now when the great day thall come, ins which our Lord Jefus‘Chrift fhall give up his mediatorial kingdom to the Father, and render an account of all his ftewardthip, how fair will bis books appear! How- juft a bal- ance will {tand at the foot of all his aecounts Then fhall he fhew in what manner he has fulfilled the promifes to the faints, and pre- fent to the Father all the bills that he has re- ceived and difcharged ; while all the faints fhall with one voice atteft it, to the honour. of the hi eh treafurer- -of heavens that’ he has not failed in payment even fo the orig . farthing. . rosTHUNOUS WORKS, P. 1 ca PHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 221 BP Qh Be oy, DIVINE JUDGMENTS ¥ WOT from the duft my forrows fpring, be ‘Nor drop my comforts from the lower skies = Let all the baneful planets fhed Their mingled curfes on my head. How-vain their cuvfes, if th’ Eternal King Look thro” the clouds and blefs me with his eyes; Creatures with all: their boafted fway ~ Are but his flaves, and muft obey 5 They wait their orders from above, And execute his word, the vengeance, orthe love. - . . If. 2 Lenn >Tis by a watrant from his hand ‘\ The gentler gales are bound to fleep : - The North wind blufters, and affumes command 1 Over the defert and the deep ; Alia Old Boreas with his freezing pow’rs. Turns the earth iron, makes the ocean glafs, - > Arrefts the dancing riv’lets as. they pafs, And chains them movelefs to their fhores + : The grazing ox lows to the gelid fkies, . "Walks o'er the marble meads with withering eyes, - so Walks o'er the folid-lakes, fauff¥ up the wind, and dies,-. us 4 ti 2 Be. Fly to the polar world, my fong, _ Tha 2 And mourn the pilgrims there, (a wretched throng fy Ay . Seized ant bound in sigid chains, A troop of ftatues on the Ruffian plainsy __ be NS u ; And life ftands frozen in the purple veins; 9 Atheift, forbear ; “no more blafpheme ¢: © God has a thoufand terrors in his names , v4 thoufand armies at command, Waiting the fignal of his Hand; , Aad magazines of froft, and magazines of flame. ~ , Drefs thee ia feel to meet his wrath 5 Marat His fharp artillery from the North Pee Shall pierce thee'to the foul, and thake Be mortal frases Subliie on Winter’s rugged wings He rides in arms along the fkyy And fcatters fate on fwains and kings 5 + rf ea’ 2 And flocks and herds, and: nations die 5 - While impious lips, profanely bold, - r Crow pale ; and, quivering at his dreadful cold, - Give their own blafphemies the lie. . ne IV, ; Sih d fi The mifchiefs that infeft the earthy, - ‘When the hot dog-ftar fires the realms on high, — er Drought and difeafe, and cruel dearth, Are but the flathes of a wrathful eye From,the incens*d’ divinity. ‘ fi: 3 An vain our parching palates thirft, . “Por vital food in vain we crys And pant for vital breath 5 The verdant fields are burnt to duft,* ‘The fun has drunk the channels dry, - ts And all the ais is death, ; ‘THE ‘BEAUTIES: ‘OR DRw WATTS.. ig feourges of our Maker’s a: *Tis at his dread command, at his imperial nod "You deal your various plagues abroad. ‘Y.z Hail, whirlwinds, hurricanes and floods That all the leafy ftandards ftrip, And bear down with a mighty fweep - The riches of the fields, and honours of the woods 5-5 ” Storms, that ravage o’er the deep; And bury millions in the waves ;~ Waly ah that in midnight. ies While you difpenfeyour mortal harms, “Tis the Creator's voice that founds your loud alarms, When guilt with louder ¢ries provokes a God to arms... Vi _ © fora meffage from above To bear my fpirits up-! < Some pledge of my Creator’s love To calm my terrors and fupport my hope + Let waves and thunders mix and roar, . Be thou my God, and the whole world is ‘mine? - _ While thou art Sovereign, I'm fecure 3 . I ‘hall be rich till thou art poor 5 - > 223 For all I.fear, and all J ee heav’n, earth.and hell are thiae - 224 THE BEAUTIES OF DROWATTS, ~ THE UNIVERSAL HALLELUJAR PSALM CXLVIIT PARAPHRAS’D, PRAISE ye the Lord with joyful tongues; Ye pow’rs that guard his throne ; ~ Jefus the man fhall lead the fongy. The God infpire the tunes : on. jeans Ek errs Gabriel, and all the itamortal choig= * That fill the realms above, ~~ "91" Sing ; for he form’d you of his fire;:. And feeds you -with his love. TIl. - Shine to his praife, ye crt hi The floor of his abodey* - : ©r veil your little ening Before a brighter God. . c Iv. Thou reftlefs globe of golden light, . Whofe beams create our days, ? ‘ Join with the filver queen of night>, To own your borrowed rays.. bh ae Blufh and refund the honours paid ! To your inferior names : Tell the blind world your orbs are fed * By his o’esflowing flames, ; THE BEAUTIES OF DR.WATTS, 225 ; Ee re Winds, ye fhall bear his name aloud Thro’ the ethereal blue,~ For when his chariot is a cloud; He makes his wheels of you. VIL. Thunder and hail, and fires and ftorms, ne The troops of his command, , Appear in all your dreadful forms And fpeak his awful hand. ., .. ‘Shout to the Lord, ye furging feasy . In your eternal roar 5 Let wave to wave refound his praife, And fhore reply to fhore. IX. While monfters {porting on the floot, . In fcaly filver fhine, tea Speak terribly their maker Gody. = And lafh the foaming brine. Soe eae 8 ‘But gentler things thall tune his name, To fofter notes than thefe, Young zephyrs breathing’o’er the-ftream, * - Or whifpering thro’ the trees, ‘Wave your tall heads, ye lofty pines, - To. him that bid ye grow, Sweet clufters bend the fruitful vines, Qn every thankful bough. i eee Let the thrill birds his honour vaife, * Andclimb the morning ky, Sy es 226 ’ .». & JHE ‘BEAUTIES OF DR. gS: While groveling beafts attempt his prai Nay. In hoarfer harmony. XII... Sif : : mM eh ‘ ‘ Thus while the meaner.creatures fing; ~ . Ye mortals take the found, Echo the glories of your king Thro’ all the nations round. ; Pe Ree, Th’ Evernal name muft fly abroad: From Britain to Japan 5~ a And the whole race thall bow to God,. That owns:the name of man:. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. ATTEMPTED IN 2NGLISH SAPPHIC: | vier aiatt La aa tee ose a 86 Bee - ‘ Z WHEN the fiercé North wind with his airy forces , Rears up the Baltic toa foaming fury 5 H ~& And the red lightning, with’ aftorm of-hail ‘comes ‘ As How the poor failors {tand amaz’d and tremble! ‘ * While the hoarfe thunder, like a bloody trumpet, - ¥4 Roars a loud onfet to the gaping waters ge - ’ Ruthing amaia down, Wisk wa devour them i r THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. £27 eg sai! ie Such thall-the noife be, and the wild diforder, (If things eternal may be like thefe earthly) © ‘Such the dire terror when the great archangel : v, ; ‘Shakes the Creation 5 ; Bee aa “Tears the ftrong pillars of the vault of heaven, ’ Breaks up old marble, the repofe of princes 5 ‘See the graves open and the bones arifing, : Ssiames all pani “ertte ges °° “Fark, the thrill outcries of the guilty wretches’! Lively bright horror, and amazing anguith; Stare thro’ their eye-lids, while the living -worm lies Hem’ Gnawing within them. ge Va sys) a ‘Thought, like old vultures, prey upon their heart-ftrings, And the fmart twinges, when the eye beholds the ‘Lofty Judge Somnings and a flood of vengeance Rolling before him. Vit. Hopelefs immortals ! ‘how they fcredm and fhiver, While devils-pufh them tothe pit wide-yawaing ~ $Hideous and gloomy to receive them headlong : Down to the centes, VIIT. . Stop here, my fancy : (all away, ye horrid Woleful ideas, ) come-arife to Jefus Sow he fits God-like ! and the Gaints around him Thrén’d, yet adoring? bed ‘ : re. Ets Se ae } “ at B . , a 4 3 i oh ee 7 y i 228 THE BEAUTIES OF DR« WATTS. = ae 4 hs 4 fs * : A] 1x fa es O may I fit there when he comes triumphant, SF es Dooming the nations ! then afcend to glory, While our hofannas all along the paflage - Shout the slshineties FIRE, AIR, EARTH AND SEA, PRAISE YE THE LORD. i I. : x “ EARTH, thou great footftool of our God i Who reigns on high ; thou fruitful fource Of all our raiment life and food 5" as Our houfe, ur. parent, and our nurfe ; Mighty ftage of mortal feenes, : Dreft with ftrong and gay machiness! ft Hung with golden lamps around 3. 5 - VES nfs {And flow’ry carpets fpread the ground) we tf Thou bulky globe, prodigious mats, ‘That hangs unpillar’d in an empty fpace ! While thy Uhweilded weight refs on the feeble airs, > it. Elefs that Almighty word that fix’d and holds thee there. Il. Ee eae a Fire, thou fwift herald of his face, © ‘ nn Whofe glorious rage, at his command, Levelsa palace with the fand, . Blending the lofty {pires in ruin with the hafe 5 i Ye heav’nly flames, that finge the airy Artillery of a jealous God, THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 229 — Bright arrows that founding quivers beat To featter deaths abroad 5 Light’nings, adore the fovereign arm.that flings — His wengeance, and your fires, wpon the head of Kings. Hil. Thou vital clement, the air, Whofe boundlefs magazines of breath @ur fainting flame of life repair, ; And fave the bubble man from the cola arms of deaths - And ye, whofe vital moifture yields —Life’s purple fiveam a‘freth fupply 5 Sweet waters wand’ring’ thro’ the flow’ry fields, Os dropping from the fy ; ° Confefs the pow’r whofe all-fufficient name ‘Nof needs your aid to build, or to fupport our frame. ¥ , Iv. acon the rade air, with noify force, Beats up and fwells the angry fea, ‘They join to make our lives a prey, And fweep the failor’s hopes away. ~ x "Vain hopes, to reach their kindred onthe fhores $ Lo, the wild feas and farging waves Gape hideous in a thoufand graves Be till, ye floods, and know your bounds of fand, Ye ftorms, adore; your Mafter’s hand ; ‘ ‘The windsare in his fit, the waves at his command, v v. iF ‘rom the eternal emptinefs ‘3 = _ His fruitful word by fecret fprings_ Drew the whole harmony of things That form this noble univerfe : 7 Old nothing Irnew his pow’rful hand, “Scarce had he fpoke his fall command; And ftill they dance, and SE yt ras AR Ny ‘ The orders they receiv’d the ee cele Tas ie Po ele LAUNCHING INTO: ETERNITY. ; he IT wasa brave attempt ! 7 adventurous sa? i ‘Who in the firft fhip broke the unknown fa And leaving his dear native fhores behind, _ “See Trufted his life to the licentious. wind. oe ee i % I fee the furging brine : the tempeft raves ear i > He ona pine-plank rides acrofs the waves, NE he, Exulting on the edge of thoufand gaping AES: He fteers the winged boat, and pashan - Conquers the flood, and | manages the gales. Such is the foul that leaves this mortal ae Fearlefs when the great Mafter gives penanen Death i is the ftorm : fhe fmiles to hear it roary *. is And bids ee tempeft wilecches from the fhore: oy : ‘ "Then with a fkilful helm the fweeps’ the feasy Ripttets 9 aft 9 BAR As es code SE a . i toa : ec Her faith can govern death”) the. fee wage “Wide to the wind, and as the fails the fings, Oa And lofes by degrees the fight of mortal things. ~ As the fhores leffen, fo her joys arife, ned od _. ‘The wayes roll aes, and the tempeft fiety ; She- floats ‘on the broad deep with inf The feas forev er calm, the skies ; 4 -;* / YHE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 23% ‘ BREATHING TOWARD THE HEAVENLY COUNTRY- CASIMIRE, BOOK 1. OD. 19, IMITATED- Urit me Patria Decor, Ge THE beauty of my native land Immoral love infpires 5 . I burn, I burn with ftrong defires, And figh, and wait the high command. ‘There glides the moon her thining way And thoots my heart thro” with a filver ray Upward my heart afpires’:' * A thoufand lamps of golien light Hung highin vaulted azure charm my fight, And wink and beckon with their amorous fires, @ ye fair glories of my heav’nly home, Bright centinels who guard my Father’s court, Where all the happy minds refort,” - When will my Father’s‘chariot come? Mutt ye for ever walk the.ethereal round}, For ever fee the mourner lie. # An exile of the fky, : a A prifoner of the ground ? BR Defcend fome fhining fern! from gn high;- $ Build me a hafty tomb ; A grafly turf will raife my head 5 The neighbouring lillies drefs my bed,- And thed a {weet perfume. 3: ie '~ Here I put off the chains of death’ NT My foul too Jong has worn :' Poa ei , 232 THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. Friends, I forbid one groaning breath, Or tear to wet my urn 5 - : 4 Raphael, behold me all undrefty = =a Here gently lay this flefh to reft + Then mount and lead the path unknown, : ' Swift I purfue thee, flaming guide, on pinions of my own 1 CONVERSE WITH CHRIST. I. 3M tir'd with vifits, modes, and forms, Y ra And flatt’ries made to fellow-worms > ory | Their conyerfation cloys 54405 \ “¥ Their vain amours and empty tuff: > But Ican ne’er enjoy enough Of thy beft company, my Lord, thou life’ of a my. joys. If. When he begins to'tell his loveg 4 Thro” every vein my paffions movey . The captives of his tongue + In midnight thadess,on frofty ground, I could attend the pleafing found, aes Nor fhould I. feel December cold, nor think the pS a a) ae There while I hear my Saviour-God €ount o'er the fins. (a heavy lead ') 2 \ He bore upon the tree, Inward I bluth with fecret thame, And weep, and love, and blefs the mame ; That knew nor guilt nor grief his own, but bare it all fot we. ee as yes ae os ven THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. 233 Survey the bufy emmets round the heap, Crouding and buftling in a thoufand forms Of ftrife and toil to purchafe wealth and fame, A bubble ora duft : then caltthy thoughts Up to thyfelf to feed on joys unknown, Rich without gold, and great without renown. FEW HAPPY; MATCHES. Augift 19701, SAY, mighty love, and teach my fot 2 aes To whom thy fweetet j joys belong, a state : ‘ so And who the happy pairs “BA 4 : . Whofe yielding hearts, and joining has Ds Find bleffi ings twifted with their wae To foften all their cares. . Not the wild herd of nymphs and fwains That thoughtlefs fly into the tae As cuftom leads the way : ‘ If there he blifs without defign, Tvies and oaks may grow and twine, And be as bleft as they. : < spe iy Not ferdid fouls of earthly mold Who drawn by kindred charms of gold To dull embraces move : os THE BEAUTIES OF DR. WATTS. So two rich mountains of Peru May ruth to wealthy marriage too,- And make a world of lovee: IV. J Not the mad tribe that’ hell infpires” With wanton flames ; thofe raging fires’ The purer biifs deftroy : On Ztna’s top let furies wed, ‘ And fheets of light’ning dref2 the bed ~ T’ improve the burning joy- ae Not the dull pairs whofe marble forms None of the melting paffions warms, Can mingle hearts and hands : Logs of green wood that quench the coals And marry’d juft like Stoic fouls, ‘With ofiers for their bands. Vi Not minds of melancholy ftrain,, Still filent, or that {till complain, Can the dear bondage blefs : As well may heavenly concerts {pring From too old loots with ne’er a'iftring, Or none befide the bafs. VII. Nor can the foft enchantments hold. Two jarring fouls of angry mold, The riigged and the keen: Sampfon’s young foxes might as well: Jn bands of cheerful wedlock dwell, With Girebrands ty’d between. ~ VIII. _ “Nor Tet the cryel fetters bind _ ; A gentle to a favage mind, For love abhors the fight : “Loofe the fierce tyger from the deer, For native rage and native fear “Rife and forbid delight. - eee v. TE sty ‘Twa kindeft fouls alone muft meet, Tis friendfhip makes the bondage fweet, And feeds their mutual loves : Bright Venus on her rolling throne As drawn by gentleft ‘birds alone And Cupids yoke the doves.* tinal Thefe poems are feletted from Hore Lyrica : : or Poems ie of ~ gbe Lyric kind, N % ts x i) ( i f ‘ Form 335—40M—6-39—S 0 qd il MM en